What's wrong with you?

"Sooim, why do you suddenly lose your temper when you were doing so well? All the good you've done becomes meaningless."

This harsh voice from adults is still stuck in my head. Because of that, I always try to be careful. But sometimes, there’s no need to be so careful.

"This is just the way I am. So don’t mess with me. If you don’t bother me, I won’t get angry. Have I ever asked you for anything? No, right? Then please just leave me alone!”

In the U.S., everyone is busy dealing with their own lives. Some people always ask others for help instead of solving problems themselves. They just want to save time and money. If they are wondering who to ask around you, and then one person is chosen, they will hop on board as if they were sneaking a spoon into someone else's table or as if they were free-riding. If you help once, they come back again with another favor. They’re good at jumping in at the right moment, but they don’t seem to care—or notice—when others are uncomfortable. Maybe they just don’t care.

I didn’t even try to be polite or explain. I just exploded. Then they acted like I was the crazy one—like they were calm and kind, and I was overreacting.

But I thought, "So what if I act crazy? So what if people talk bad about me?"

I felt so much better. No regret. Finally, that clingy person was gone.

Some people call me early in the morning or visit for days asking for help, but I never get mad at them. Why? Because they’re different. They’re respectful and careful not to cause trouble for others. They only ask for help after trying hard to solve things themselves. When I help those kinds of people, I even get excited to support them. I lose sleep thinking about how to help. They have a good reputation—like having good credit at the bank. When I help them, even if I get tired or stressed, my heart feels light. And while helping them, I also learn useful things.

Someone once said: "If you want to get rid of someone, ask them to lend you money."

But I never talk about money with anyone except the bank. So I just lost my temper instead—and now that person doesn’t dare to call again. But then—he did. They came back, acting like “You’re mean, but I’m a good person, so I forgive you.”

Oh my God! They are so persistent. Did they eat boiled wild roots or something?!I was so shocked and annoyed—I couldn’t even say a word.