Constant Complaining

I always have an ear to listen- friends and family alike always come to me with their issues or problems. Sometimes, even strangers in the grocery store tell me their tales of woe- I don't mind- especially when they take action and try and solve their dilemna du jour.
What I am totally sick and tired of, however, are acquaintances who are in a state of terminal pity party- folks who do not a thing to help themselves yet expect others to feel sorry for them. Over and over again- month after month and year after year.
I know of one person who got laid off around the same time as myself last summer. She has not searched for work - I am not quite sure what she does except moan and groan and expect others to pay her bills and lavish her with items that she should be out working for.
At Christmas, she posted her "wish list." I was flabbergasted- then had the nerve to complain that none of her "real" friends had given her anything for Christmas. Now, I am acquainted with a good number of her other friends- they have done for her for years now. I know I can go back at least 3 years and recall what I did to help her out of what I thought was a temporary situation. She is one of those who never seem to get her shit together and doesn't look as if she ever intends to. She always has an excuse as to why she CAN'T move forward. I discussed it with one of the mutual friends and he is also beyond caring. Thing is, this isn't a young person- this woman is nearly 50. I've taken into consideration that she has no family or husband. We all have- the aformentioned friend and his wife even paid several years worth of property taxes for her. He told me that even when she was working, she never stuck to any re-payment plan that they put before her.
I am learning that there are users out there that never really want to stand on their own two feet. Why would they?? It's so much easier to let others be responsible.
I got an email the other day from someone I've known for years. I haven't seen or spoken to this person in probably 3 years or more. Out of nowhere, he sends me a link to his blog telling how he nearly died and was in the hospital. Again, this person never did anything to take care of himself- always pitiful and depressed. He throws out the word "disabled" at every opportunity. I was like ,"Why are you sending this to me?" You haven't contacted me in years and now I am supposed to be all horrified and saddened at this 5000th trip to the hospital???
I may be getting cynical in my old age but I swear, I'd rather help a stranger in the street than the people I mentioned above.
Get over yourself- we all have problems--get a job, get a life, stop the pity party!