plagued

If I give people the benefit of the doubt, does that mean I'm too trusting?

If I choose not to focus only on someone's failures and ignore their successes, does that mean I'm too easygoing?

If my method of encouragement is not to remind someone of all the times they've screwed up in the past, does that mean I'm doing it wrong?

If I don't assume that a project is doomed the moment something doesn't go perfectly, does that mean I'm too optimistic?

And if I choose to give people a chance to redeem themselves, does that mean I'm too gullible?

duped

For the briefest of moments, I had allowed myself to hope.

Then I was hit in the face with just how important I really am not.