Learning From Other People's Words

Reality has a way of asserting itself.
Especially in the fundraising profession, we can wish things were different all we please — that ordinary donors gave to complex programs, that we could raise all the revenue we need without spending money on printing and postage, that donors would give to success rather than need, etc. — but in the end, to succeed, we must have the courage to face reality and meet donors where they are, not where we might wish they were.

People look for a reason to feel excluded. And then they begin to hallucinate about it.
This is at the root of much relationship pain — in families, among friends and at work. If you pay attention, you’ll discover that this happens all the time. People are hyper-alert to even the possibility of not being wanted (included) — often when this isn’t even the case — and then they concoct reasons for the perceived slight and act out. Be understanding when you see someone do this, and be aware when you are tempted to do this! It can save a lot of pain.