How to Stop Being Burned by Other People

I was raised a very good Catholic boy.My mom is deeply religious. Caring about other people was everything. Mother Teresa was a role model. Giving. Serving. Looking out for others.That rubbed off on me.I pride myself on caring. The problem is, I care too much.One of the hardest life lessons I keep relearning is this: not everyone cares the way you do.Most arenas in life are political. People do not cooperate the way we imagine. They are not always working toward the greater good. They are often working toward getting ahead.And if something becomes successful, many will jump in and take credit.This is not cynical. It is human nature.As I have gotten older, I have realized my expectations were too high. Even my “low expectations” were too high. If someone says yes, they often will not follow through. If someone asks for something, it is often for themselves.If you do not recognize this, you will be eaten up.So what do you do?You detach.You accept that you are largely on your own. You accept that caring deeply may get you burned. You stop expecting people to step up.You try your best. You walk forward. You compartmentalize. You repeat to yourself that you cannot control other people.You will be disappointed.Your job is to get back up and do it again anyway.Not because people deserve it.Because you deserve peace.