Obligation! Obligation!

Obligations!

They are everywhere.

I'm sitting here at work at 5:30 in the morning because I have an obligation to work the selected shift that was scheduled for me. However, I meet this obligation because it is what I need to do to gain the necessary paycheck and do my part in the financial support of my family. So, in a way this obligation is really a choice. I have a choice to not show up, to call in sick, or quit. But the fact is, I want that pay stub at the end of the month, so I'm here.

School...that's another awkward obligation. So many times I've said myself, "I don't want to go to class." Which is typically followed by someone saying, "Then don't," and is then counteracted by me, "I have to."
Who says? I do!
Classes are a hassle and another notch added to the stress belt, but overall it is an obligation that I am happy to fulfill.
College is not for everyone. In fact, if there is a job that you are qualified for or want to do that doesn't require a degree, then don't waste the money and time getting some useless document that says you did it.
Me on the other hand, what I want to do requires that piece of paper. So to get what I want, I must meet the obligations that required of me.

This brings me to obligated relationships. I don't mean having a polite relationship with bosses or professors, I mean those people in your life that somehow become obligations.
You stop seeing them because you WANT to, and rather start making appearances because you HAVE to.
Why do we do that?
Aren't they better off without a person who feels obligated to be their friend?
Or how about people that lack in support but feel that you need to meet their needs, but probably couldn't tell you your middle name.
Forget it! Done with that.
I am not a person who makes friends easily. I'm that girl who makes a friendship for semester but rarely stays in contact after that. I do have some old friends, but I respect that they are living their own lives, as I am, and I don't need them to be here every second to know they will be if I needed them. I do have a few people I can count on and that I interact with on a daily basis. Most of these people I work with, but they have shown over and over again how our relationship goes beyond the office. Which is something I appreciate greatly and was pretty surprised by.
Other than that, I have my best friend and my two cats (yes we are those people) at home, and that's good enough for me.
The same goes for family. I have my family that I could not function without. My parents specifically, have always been my very best friends and support systems, and they have constantly proven that they will always be there for me.

So back to those obligations. When it comes to people, count me out. I'm am finished feeling as if I HAVE to please a person to keep the waters steady.

I have no obligations to those people who in the end would never truly be there for me.