A Seat At Your Table

I've been thinking about this a lot lately. One of my favorite quotes is, "When you have more than you need, build a bigger table, not a higher fencer." I love that and I think it's so true. HOWEVER. In the same way I believe that, I also believe that not everyone gets a spot at your table. 
Your life is yours. Sure, you work for other people and live with other people and probably take care of other people. But at the end of the day, your life is yours, and who you share it with is entirely up to you. You're in charge of who gets to sit down at your table and eat. And while I believe in love and kindness and open arms, I also believe in protecting the preciousness that is your life. 
Growing up, when it came to bad friends, my grandma would say to me, "Do not cast your pearls before swine." Meaning, if you put expensive and beautiful jewels down in front of pigs, they're not going to appreciate them, and they're probably going to get them filthy. Same goes for your life - there are some people who aren't going to appreciate it.While I kind of understood the thought behind that then, it's something I truly understand in my adult life. Just like pigs don't deserve pearls, there are some people who just don't deserve a front row seat to your life. 
The friend that makes you feel bad about yourself? She doesn't deserve a seat at your table. 
The girl you follow online who constantly makes you feel like you are not enough? Your table is not for her. 
The toxic person in your life who hurts you? He can go now.
The coworker who you have to see at work, but is always talking down to you and making you feel less than? They are uninvited from your table. 
Guys, you don't have to do it. You don't have to share your life with everyone. You don't have to live a draining life just to please others.   
And let's be honest, that's what it does. It drains you. Having too many people at your table drains you. Trying to entertain and please and pacify people who have no business being up close and personal in your life drains you. Your life is worth so much more than that. You are worth so much more than that! 
Yes, we should be loving. Yes, we should be kind. Yes, we should be inclusive and open to others. HOWEVER. When someone shows you who they are...when they show you what their intentions are, when they show you how they plan on treating you...believe them. 
Your table? It's amazing. Those chairs at your table? VIP SEATING, BABY. Fill them wisely.