A Friend In Need Is A _____

Attitude makes all the Difference in Giving and Receiving

 A Friend in need can mean a lot of things to a different people. That's why we say "Different strokes for different folks." The popular saying is that "A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed."
But time and again, I've had reason's to disagree with this. I've been shown that just as He can be a "friend indeed," a friend in need can also be "a counselor, a confidant, a threat to You, or worse of all, A Pain in the Ass."
 Back to the original saying, a friend in need can be a friend indeed diverse ways, He can be Your truest friend, standing by Your side, attending to your every need, just to ensure He gets what he needs, while at the same time, He can begin to bring up everything he ever did for you. Even the inconsequential ones. The favors you never thought in Your wildest dreams will be mentioned ever again, some even go as far as bringing back to your memory embarrassing moments you shared together.
 The most annoying friends are split into two categories, there are some who will stick to you like a tick, almost walking in your legs, willing to do anything, even when you obviously do not need their help. It's worse if you are in public, as they seem to have lost all sense of decorum, and would gladly disgrace the both of You. They'll agree to whatever You say, take decisions for you, live for you (If Possible), and make Your life a living hell.
 The second and I'll say most annoying ones are those who act as if You owe it as a duty to them to satisfy whatever need they have. They'll threaten You, coerce you, cut you off, and even blackmail you just to get what they need. Most of the time they don't deserve the favors, but they'll just choose to be a pain in the neck, giving you unpleasantly surprise visits, and would even report you to everyone you know in common, telling them of how you are being selfish, proud and arrogant.
 I had an experience with someone recently, doing him a favor, and expecting him to meet me halfway across, finish up the stuff himself, but he was adamant that I should do all the work myself and send him the completed Job. This is in spite of the fact that doing it had already cost me unnecessary expenses. He was adamant, and when I insisted He come to collect his Job and finish it off Himself, he requested that I dispose of the whole project, as he will get what He needs elsewhere. I decided this was going to be the last time I'll ever do anything for him again. And I intend to keep my word.
 Just as "A Friend in Need can be A Friend Indeed",  so also "A Friend in Need can be A Pain in the Neck". It all comes down to wisdom, maturity, experience and attitude.

When is it Right to be Selfish?

Who Said That?

 This is a question which most people will easily answer with a big Never. but time and time again, I have been in a position where the appropriate thing to do would be to be selfish. Simple.
 Some people who know me when I was younger will tell you that I was actually a selfish little boy, and I'll testify to that. I actually was very much selfish, and I knew it. But at one point, I decided to be more liberal and selfless. Since then (By God's grace) I've actually been more of a giver than I use to be.
But the only time when I will ever be selfish again is if the recipient of my selfishness is proving to be foolish, careless, and unnecessarily selfish. Some people take your liberal attitude as foolishness, weakness, and a sign of Immaturity. They'll keep everything they have away from you, while expecting you to hand everything you own over to them, even when they don't deserve to have it. And whenever you ask for their contribution to a joint venture, they'll make an excuse, and give you a justification for their selfishness. Under such circumstances, I'll advise you be selfish to such selfishness.
 Another instance where I'll recommend selfishness is when someone uses your generosity as a front for laziness. Because of your hard-working nature, your sense of dutifulness, and your willingness to share, some people will chose not to work and practically live off your labor. They'll sit around all day, expecting you to bring in all you have, while they sit on their ass and wholeheartedly help you to feed off your labor. In such instances, I recommend you go into full selfishness mode.
 Finally, and most people will call me a selfish guy for this. when everybody is being graciously generous over a trivial issue, Then I recommend you can get a little bit selfish. I'm talking about those awkward moments when there is only a little amount of groundnut, or other food item left in the plate, and everyone is like "You take it, I'm filled." and then everyone is politely, charismatically, courteously leave the last piece of food item in the plate. I'll gladly pick it up and eat it. Let's forget about "big boyism" or ego, or "whatever". Let's eat and get our belly filled. Pick the last stuff left, satisfy yourself, forget about what others will think or say. And leave there.
 In summary, it is sometimes necessary to be selfish, and I'll advice you listen to all sides of a story before passing your judgement.