Things my Doormat Taught me

Recently it's been brought to my attention that I suffer from something called doormat syndrome.  Oh yes, it's a real disease, let me assure you!  Symptoms of this mysterious illness include: habitually putting others needs before your own, being way too accomodating, way too passive, and basically letting people walk all over you.


When I was first told I was a victim of this disorder, my first instinct was to deny, deny, deny!!  They say denial is the first step, right? Well I guess I've been stuck on step one for years, because it's never even occured to me that I might be a doormat.  No, I always just assumed that I was a good person, and that bad things happen to good people, and that's why so many people seemed to treat me badly.  That's why when I was first diagnosed, I thought for sure someone had bought me a one way ticket to crazy town, because there was no way that I was a pushover!


But then I started thinking about things, and then I guess at some point I moved on to step two.  You know, the step where you....ok, so I honestly don't know what the second step is, I never made it that far(I'm pretty sure I have ADD). Anyhoo, I started to realize that there might just be something to this doormat thing. And in hindsight, the multiple shoe marks all over my face and torso should have been a dead giveaway!  So I finally accepted the fact that I was a doormat, and then I had to figure out what I was gonna do about it.


At first, I decided to go the Rambo route.  You know, be all assertive and let those fools know that nobody messes with the Kasinator!  But then I realized that there was no possible way I was going to be able to pull that off.  I'm too nice.  How sad for me.  So then I thought, ok I'll go the passive aggressive route, and be all sneaky like a ninja.  I'll be a jerk, but no one will see it coming.  But, alas, that wouldn't work for me either.  I'd feel all guilty, plus I'm way too clumsy to be sneaking around.  Worst ninja ever in the house!  Holla!


So what's a girl to do, I ask you?  I mean, here I am a complete and total doormat, and it looks as if there's no way to change it!  So I started thinking: is it possible that I could turn this doormat syndrome into a good thing? Yes, everyone talks about it like it's something to be ashamed of, but is there a way to change that stigma?  So I did some research.  Spent countless hours interviewing my doormat, and here's what I came up with.


First, doormats are tough, they have to be.  Think about it.  Whether your an indoor or an outdoor doormat, you've got to be one tough cookie.  People of all shapes and sizes are gonna step on you.  Shoes with wicked heels, spikes, and tough soles are gonna stomp on you, and you have to be able to take it.  And if your an outdoor doormat, you have to be able to weather all kinds of storms.  You have to be there when it's sunny and bright, as well as when the world turns upside down and the storms are raging.


Second, doormats are dependable.  Your doormat is never gonna let you down.  It's always going to be there for you.  Even when it's ragged and worn out, you know that it's still going to be right where you left it.  Waiting on your front step, or inside you front door, just to welcome you home after a rough day.  And your doormat will never tell you not to step on it, it wants to know that it's there for you when you need it most.


Third, doormats don't judge.  Your doormat doesn't care what you've stepped in.  It won't judge what follows you home on your shoes.  It never tells you your feet are too dirty, that they stink, or that they're not good enough.  It welcomes you with open arms, no matter what burden your carrying, because that's what doormats do. 


Fourth, doormats love to make you happy.  When you pick a doormat, you don't pick it soley for it's functionality.  You choose a doormat that fits you, and one that helps express who you are.  So when you see your doormat, maybe you smile, or you get that feeling of home.  And that's what a doormat is all about.  Your doormat wants to know that it has helped you in some way.  That maybe it brought a smile to your face, or brought you some comfort when you were feeling out of sorts.  And when you step on it, it doesn't feel the pain, it just feels the satisfaction of being there for you when you needed it.


To some people being a doormat may be a bad thing.  It may even be a sign of weakness.  But to this girl, being called a doormat is a compliment.  Because yeah, I might get stepped on, I'm pretty sure most people will take me for granted, and I know for a fact people are going to hurt me.  But no matter what happens, I'll always be tough, I'll always be there for people, I'll always accept people for who they are, and I'll always find a way to make others happy. 


So, go ahead and walk all over me.  I can take it!