Where did loyalty go?  Why is loyalty such a rare and priceless object?  I've spent the better part of my life training to be the most loyal person I can be, only to get smacked in the face...usually really hard.  How can one build a better inner circle of loyalty?  I've asked myself this question many times, over and over.  Someone told me that if I tweaked my outlook a few ways that I should be able to find the right people in my inner circle.  But what he really was saying is that I am an asshole and no one wants to be around me.   I guess that's just a nice way of putting it.  However, I learned loyalty a long time ago and even if you're mad at someone doesn't give the right to just stop talking to them.  I know, like in my very close relationships, it's really hard for the other person to understand me and why I do the things I do.  I'm older now and i'm sorta set in my ways and I just rather see people being more responsible than they are exuding to me.  

Am I becoming a hermit?  Am I purposefully pushing people away using that as an excuse to be alone?  When I'd rather not be alone and share my life with someone or some close people?

Loyalty is only rewarded at the grocery store or the electronics store these days.  Loyalty is never rewarded in close personal relationships.  There is no giving anymore, it's all about how much you can take or strip from someone and I don't want to be a part of it anymore.