Normalize Being Around People You Feel Safe With.

Yesterday, trying to get home in the evening, I stopped a tricycle and then realized a "Rastafarian" was the one driving. I wasn't too comfortable with his appearance so I hesitated for a bit. Then he spoke and smiled. I decided to board.

On the road, he tried to start a conversation, He asked if I'm wondering why he's driving a tricycle, said he's primarily a musician but as things are not looking too good, he has to look for other ways of survival.

Too tired to start a conversation that will exhaust me, I responded with a smile that says,

I really want to talk but I'm afraid, I am enjoying my thoughts too much to suspend them for a chat.

Here's what I was thinking :
It's important for people to be around people they feel safe with.

So, ask yourself, this person who's in my corner now, am I safe with him or her?
This new friendship, am I safe in it? My feelings and secret, are they safe with this person?

For me, I want to be around people I know will inspire me to be a better person at every turn.
I want to be around people whom I can trust my salvation with. Like, I know that our conversations will not destroy my Spirit or put a dent on the renewal of my soul.

I want to be around people I can trust with my spirituality. People whose encounter with them will leave me longing for God more, will leave a stirring in my heart.

I don't want to have friends that after every conversation, I'll have to go on a fast to purify my thoughts or struggle to pray because of the quality of the talk we had.

I want to be around people that I am emotionally safe with. People who I can share my pains and joys with. People I can tell exactly how I feel and there'll be no condemnation or judgment from them. I am naturally very expressive about the way I feel.

I'll share how you make me feel or how I feel for you, most times, through written words. It's beautiful to be with someone who won't take advantage of that.

I want to be with someone I am physically safe with. No slaps, kicks and punches. Someone with whom my protection and safety is a priority.

Ahh, babe, you scratched yourself? Please, be careful. I don't want to see marks on your beautiful skin.

Not someone who'd be the reason why your body is like a carpenter's worktable. Someone who'd buy you a sunshade, not because he is worried about the effect of the sun on you but because you need to hide the black eye.

Be with people that you're financially safe with. People that would be in a tight condition and you'll be free to help them out knowing they won't repay that kindness for evil. People who will encourage you to save and invest, not the ones that will want to eat J5 and drink till you're left with just transport money.

Don't be around people that borrow money from you and never return, or friends who insist on getting your products and services for free.

It's great to start being intentional about looking out for yourself. Get away from people who make you feel unsafe. Your safety should not be negotiated.