Growing Pains

Not everyone can come.

I think a lot of the issues I've dealt with in my life in regards to my personal relationships with others have ultimately all come down to this statement, that not everyone can come.

By default, I try to include everyone. That is how my heart is built. I hate to leave anyone out or make anyone feel excluded from anything. However, I've learned in my years that sometimes it is best that they simply just not be invited. Or rather, they not have the clearance for access.

I've often found myself extending grounds to people that have not even done the same for me and in the end I was the one who suffered because of it. I have condoned a many "one-sided relationships" in regards to friends, family, business transactions, etc. and have come to the conclusion that I do not have to anymore. I've learned to cease those type of interactions by simply not granting unauthorized individuals clearance for that type of access into my life and that's ok with me.

As years go by we often hope that the ones we've grown close to can grow alongside us, but in reality some people are just stagnant while others just simply grow apart. Sometimes people get accustomed to a certain way of living and thinking that may not align with yours anymore, and I've learned that's ok. Frustrating? Yes. But, enlightening for certain.

I've also realized that even when it comes down to the people who ARE authorized in my life that I do not necessarily have to grant clearance to the people they've allowed access into their lives either. Again, not everyone can come.

It's a little freeing in a sense. Freedom from the responsibility to feel as though you're obligated to have certain interactions with people. You are not responsible, nor are you obligated. It also helps things not feel forced either, which creates an entire new space for things that are meant to manifest to flow freely.

You know what they say, when God closes one door he opens another one. A statement I believe to be true for everyone. Authorized or not.