I have a friend who says yes.

Ask him for a favour, and the answer is yes. Ask for a bigger one, and it’s still yes.

Sometimes I know he’d rather say no. He says yes anyway.

I respect that about him. It’s a kind of generosity. And knowing it, I try not to take advantage of it.

You’ve probably heard the expression, We teach people how to treat us.

I understand the sentiment. We set expectations by what we’re willing to accept. If someone repeatedly treats us poorly and we say nothing, we may encourage more of the same.

But the expression has never sat quite right with me.

By that logic, my friend has taught me that I can ask him for anything. He hasn’t taught me anything. His yes is a gift. What I do...

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