Don't Be A Doormat!

Ah, the doormat advice. I cannot recall how many times I have heard these wise words spoken from trusted allies. I fully acknowledge that their advice is constructive, albeit a little forward. After all, my loved ones are looking out for my well-being. We should all be so blessed. However, I have a slightly different perspective on the word doormat and the meaning associated. You see, I don’t have any doormats in my home. I have welcome mats, and plenty of them.  

Yes, I am a welcome mat. I enjoy people. I welcome people in. And for the most part, people have good intentions. Most often they bring something with them when they visit; something that we both can enjoy. And sometimes it’s just nice to do a good deed and help someone temporarily in need of shelter. This often becomes more of a blessing to me anyway so I still walk away with something wonderful.

Granted occasionally someone wipes their feet on my welcome mat and leaves a mess behind. In which case I dust it off and move on. Hey, a welcome mat is destined to accumulate some grime. It goes with the territory. And yes sometimes I have to decide when it’s time to stop answering the door. That goes with the territory as well.

But here’s my take on it. Everyone that comes through my door teaches me something and I always grow from the experience; good or bad. So, to pull the welcome mat because of a little mud is not worth it. Think of how much I’d miss out on.