I come first

by Perla Semaan

People often say things that ain’t coming from their hearts just because they think they have to say them out of respect. They also do things they don’t want to do and go places they don’t want to go just because they think they have to. But what’s the point in doing that?

I have no duty towards those who don’t help me grow, learn, or become better. I have no responsibility toward those who were able to hurt me, confuse me, and to not be sorry about it. It’s not that I hate any of them, but that I refuse to waste more of my time and of my energy being around those people. I would rather stay home by myself reading a book than out with them. My time is now more precious to be spent anywhere. People who deserve my time are more worthy of it than the people I think I’m obliged to spend time with. From now on, I come first and they come second. Truth is, I have enough respect for myself not to cheat it nor neglect it, and to walk away from anyone who doesn’t respect me just as much.