When do I Draw the Line?

I have asked myself this question severally; when do I draw the line? Events in life especially with the people in our lives and those that just exist around us, often puts us in that situation where we have to answer this question. Sometimes, we unconsciously answer it. Life is such that we keep drawing lines or letting things be. I thought I should share my thoughts with you on this topic.

Before I go on, I must apologise for being absent here for a while now… inshalla, I will do my best to blog more often as my blog mother and blog grandmothers have instructed. (Heheheeee!)

Being new at my place of work, I am reserved, as I observe the new people (my colleagues, even clients too) who are unavoidably now in my world. Humble greeting and nice pleasantries are what I share with them, until I get to know them better and being to gist with some more and even have some as my buddies. I seem to flow very well with this particular girl… yea, she is intelligent and fine and my connecting with her has just been natural (or so I see it). I see her as a very good friend and she lives it too, but very recently my head keeps telling me: “guy, you need to draw the line.”

Through my university days, I had many friends, boys and girls. I lived a very open life and stayed as free as possible with anyone that makes effort to get to know me. I must confess, that life style is not an easy one. Knowing that you can’t please everyone and that you have your own limitations, I fell out with some of these friends. This very course mate of mine came close to me and we could relate at a level, pretty simply because our heads could spinout beautiful and creative ideas for work at a very fast rate, but beyond this, we never resonated. Our friendship turned soar and somehow I wished I had drawn a line early enough to make him realize the limitations in our association.

I had this girl friend back then in school who would have been my girlfriend but for the fact that I drew the lines. When I discovered her, she was in a relationship which she admitted. That did not stop me from tripping for her. The excitement for me began to increase when I realized that she was showing feelings for me too. I practically fell for her, but at a point, jolted myself and asked what I was doing. She was in her final year, and I still had two years to go. I would have really loved to have asked her out, but at the time, didn’t have what it takes to make the relationship last (if only my papa was Dangote or even Fashola). I had to let go, as I creeped out of her life somehow. She is married now with a beautiful daughter.  

I really don’t know how these stories would help buttress my point shaa…, but if you follow it through well, you will realize how drawing the line became a thing of importance at those instances. It helps us define our lives and our associations. It reminds us of the importance of knowing ourselves, for it is only when we do that we can really know when to draw the line; when to say NO and mean it, and when to say YES and follow through.

Drawing the line helps our relationship with people, cause if it is effectively done, your actions will not always be misinterpreted instead people around you will see the good in it and will be positive minded in relating with you. Then, you can have a life for yourself and give attention to other people and things that deserve it.

Finally, I must say that drawing the line must be a conscious action and it should be well communicated to whom it may concern. Do not assume the person (or people) would understand. Be firm at it and try not to compromise on it. If you must compromise on it, then it also should be well communicated too, noting all the condition for compromise.

I think I need to stop here now; talking about something I know little about. You may know more, why not share with me. I will be glad to read your comments on drawing the line or a story from you about that time you drew the line or did not and what became of it.

Cheers!