I struggle with this issue on a near regular basis, and I'll tell you why. I believe firmly that everyone in my life is there for a reason, even in their assholiness there is something that I can glean from the experience if I can not help them, I can apply the lesson towards self-improvement.

There are some deal breakers and luckily, I have not experienced any yet.

The biggest reason I keep revisiting in my mind is ignorance-but when I really sit on it and think, it is because I love them that their ignorance troubles me, so I stay in the game.

Let the friend know how you feel and go as far as letting them know you have considered throwing in the towel. Hell, they might be done with you too-in which case you can move on with a clear conscience. I doubt it, cause I think you're passionate and a well-loved friend, but some people are comfortable and even hapy with the way things are.

T. Allen-Mercado,you hit the nail on the head!

This one I struggle with daily. My biggest challenge - the "takers" of this world, who have no concept of relationships being a two-way street. I have several in my own family. I do try to talk, have written letters, etc., but they just ignore it. Same with some friends. I too hang in there because I do love them. But the relationship is on a different level - not as deep as I would prefer it. But that is how it goes with some:):)

It's been a LONG time since I've felt that way about anyone... shortly after I graduated from high school, I actually moved away from my hometown to start over... it was the only way I could get away from "those" friends... the friends who really care about themselves and NOBODY else... the "friends" who lead me astray time and time again! I thank God everyday, though, for those "friends", they taught me a lot about life and what my life WOULD NOT be!

yeah, i'm with tameka on the 1st paragraph especially.

this issue came up for me recently (for the 1st time ever, actually), and i'm still bitter about some ish that went down between between me and a friend. it amounted to what i felt was an attack on my character and a misunderstanding with no efforts to try to understand on her part.

and while i'm still not settled about it internally, i haven't decided to shut her out completely (although my conscious tells me to do so repeatedly...the subconscious says otherwise). i learned a lot about her nature from the experience and now just relate to her on a different, less serious level.

actually I'm quite tired of having to reevaluate my "friends" that I've begun to build a wall that seems so much harder as i get older to tear down.

Most recent straw...taking my kindness for weakness...sighs!

Boy am I glad you asked this. My best friends from college have, on more than one occassion, made me feel as if something was wrong with me because I didn't have a big, fancy, brand new, $1500 a month house sitting on 1/2 an acre of land, in a new development. I like that I can afford where I live.

Hi! Found you thru Ms. Cooper's blog.

I have family like this.

I call them toxic.

Unfortunately my Mother is one of those people.