Setting the table

For the longest time I thought I had it ass backwards. Yet something intrinsic made me hang in there. Even as I was pushed to believe that I'm the confused one. My entire life I have entered into friendships and relationships because I like the person ( or what they perpetrated to be until their true colors showed). Excited and happy to find others I could share myself with. Bringing pretty much everything I have to offer to the table. Not being concerned how much the other party would bring. Meanwhile the whole time I was informed by other fellows that I should look for …fill in the blank. Look for what the other person has. Look for what you can get out of it. Make a list of requirements and criteria. And I got that kind of feedback from varies cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. I understand that the premise is not to get used by someone else. But I was always left more under the impression that people care more about what's being brought to the table vs what they themselves contribute. No wonder the table setting appears to be lopsided and people don't hang around. As soon as you consume what the other party brought there is nothing left to nourish either of you. Leaving you hungry and dissatisfied. I am slowly encountering more people with my kind of mind set. Offering who they are at the picnic table. Not looking for the all you can eat buffet. And I'm delighted to share in.