Gita was visibly agitated. She had been overlooked again inspite of her supervisor’s promise to give her a well-deserved raise. She knew that she had earned it with all the hard work she had been putting in for the past two years. She had kept quiet all these months because she cringed at the idea of going and demanding a raise although it was her right to do so. She didn’t want to create a scene or offend her employer. But now, she had made up her mind. She had compromised enough. It was time for her and her employers to recognise her worthwhile contribution to the company. She was not going to sell herself short. She was going to speak up and ask for what she deserved. Not a penny more, not a penny less.

Gita’s story is an echo of all the big and small compromises you make because you hesitate to speak your mind. Reasons being – you don’t want to make a scene. You want to put the needs of others before yours. You want to be known as a nice person. You don’t want to rock the boat. You are insecure about your worth as a person and don’t want to appear too demanding or arrogant.

Whatever the reasons, the end result is a life that has settled for less, a life of suppressed needs and desires, unspoken and unvoiced. A life of compromises and adjustments, where your wants go unexpressed.

Isn’t it time to lend credence to what you want and desire?

Isn’t it time to speak out when someone jumps the queue ahead of you at the doctor’s clinic?

Isn’t it time to express yourself when you feel the meal you are paying for at a hotel is not up to your standard?

Isn’t it time to give in to your desire to buy a good music system even if it costs you more than what you had in mind?

Isn’t it time to set a standard for yourself, to be more sensitive to your needs and desires without the fear of appearing too arrogant and selfish?

Isn’t it time to remember that only by respecting yourself, will others respect you?

Knowing your worth and setting a standard for yourself is the only way of leading a life of authencity.

Whether you’re single, married, with children or without, it’s not possible to get through the day without agreeing to at least one compromise. There are little compromises, like home-caring activities, and there are bigger ones like working conditions and relationships.

The trick is in knowing how far you can bend without sacrificing yourself in the process. Trust your instincts, your gut feeling on this. If you dread it, don’t do it. If you are uneasy about some thing, follow your conscience. Learn to listen to your inner voice. It is your best guide.

This week, pay attention to the way you lead your life. If somebody is trying to short-change you, be it your family, your boss or even your local supermarket, see that you take action.

Life is short. Lead it the way you want to live it. Don’t settle for less. Ask for more and you will get it.