a balanced diet of compromises and no-compromises

compromises... they seem to catch up with us however fast we may run. they seem to find us no matter where we are. hasn't it become a part of life to compromise? aren't we required to make compromises here and there, now and then? however much we may hate to, we are compelled to do just that by circumstances. each one of us has been a victim of it. 

many a time, we succumb to pressures: parental,peer and the likes. we do things we don't like. we do things because someone else expects us to. we do things(or not do) to make someone happy. and the chain grows. we compromise. we put up a smile and go on with life.

but then, there are some things you just can't compromise on. your integrity, for example. and self-respect. and ethics. these are things you can't put a price on; things you can't bargain. these are yours and yours to protect. no other person should have a say in these matters. it is your call.     you are what you make yourself to be. 

so maybe it all comes down to this: recognizing when to compromise and when not to. though there is just a fine line that separates the two, the challenge is to tread cautiously. perhaps life needs a balanced dose of compromises and no-compromises. perhaps that's the way of life.