What Drives Loyalty

 

I’ve learned that loyalty

Can be a beautiful quality

When harnessed in the right way

But it can also keep us in situations and relationships

That make our values sway

 

As a little girl and a teenager

I desperately wanted to be Lily’s best friend

In fact, I wished I could be her 

My hypnotised devotion had no end

 

Until one day I realised 

The things I liked about Lily

Turned out to be her flaws

Sure, she was assertive and driven

But to other people's feelings

She never gave  pause

 

Then later in life

 

Certain people flocked towards me

The Lily situation was in reverse

People were unhappy with themselves

They were looking for me to fix them

It was a different kind of curse

 

And I then knew

My happiness can’t come from you

Nor should yours come from me

We shouldn’t be here out of people pleasing, obligation or pity

Being genuine is key

 

No point in staying in that workplace when they don’t treat you right

Or staying in a relationship

Where being honest

Results in abuse or an unrepairable fight

 

Stay because it’s a privilege for you

And same again for the other

Honour each others true selves

Disagree 

And recover