courtesy of Grok.ai

Are My Friends Taking Advantage Of My Good Nature?

Hi, all my family, friends, fiends, foes and funky folks!

Dean Benson here, coming at you from the computer keyboard in my home office. Today, I want to talk about something that’s been on my mind, and I have a feeling a lot of you can relate. It’s a tough topic, one that grates against my old, rock ’n’ roll soul, but it’s real: the painful feeling that some of the people you call friends are taking advantage of you and your good nature.

I’ve built my life on a foundation of loyalty, passion, and a genuine desire to see people win. Whether it’s through my TikTok videos, my YouTube channel, or just shooting the breeze, I try to lead with my heart. But here’s the kicker — when you’re a person who naturally wants to help, you become a magnet for those who see that kindness not as a gift, but as a resource to be mined and abused.

A good heart is a beautiful thing, but it can also be a heavy burden when others decide it’s your turn to carry the load. So, let’s break down some of the ways this happens. If these sound familiar, you might need to do a little “friend-audit.”

1. The Perpetual “Emergency” Loan

This is a classic. You have a friend who is always in a bind. The car broke down, the rent is late, their dog needs a surprise operation…