Don't Start A Fight...................

 

Don't Start a Fight, But Finish It If You Have To

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These are wise words given to me as a kid from my mom.  

One time, in grade school, a boy in my class kept punching me in the back, HARD.  I've always been one to pretty much keep to myself and take whatever was handed to me, as if I deserved it.  

I never went home to whine or complain but would randomly say my back was hurting.  My mom finally asked me what was wrong and I finally told her.  She said, "Don't ever start a fight, but if you have to finish it, finish it."  She told me to do something that by today's tender standards, would probably have gotten me kicked out of school, but she said to wait until we were in the lunch line near each other, not to say a word, but to haul off and slug him hard in the shoulder and that he'd stop.  I did as she suggested and what do you know?  He stopped!

This idea ebbs and flows in our lives from the view of not letting others walk all over us because they think they can.  The older I get, the more I've learned to actually speak up for myself.  It truly sets me free mentally and emotionally.  

I have someone currently in my life who has a tendency to be a bit of a spitfire over virtually nothing and it happened yet again today.  I, in turn, immediately let her know I did not appreciate her behavior towards me.  While I attempted to do it in a light-hearted way, I still meant it.  Many would call it passive-aggressive.  Call it what you will.  It's my way of getting my point across without behaving in the same manner that was just dished out to me.  

By speaking up for myself, it gets it off my mind and heart rather than saying nothing and sitting and stewing, overthinking the whole situation and what I 'should' have said.  I struck while the iron was hot, got the discussion over with and was able to move on with my day.  

Do yourself a favor and love yourself enough to NOT let anyone walk all over you.  This doesn't mean you pick a fight with anyone, but don't allow anyone to abuse you either.  Some people don't have common sense or healthy boundaries, which can be frustrating.  Just know that you are valuable and deserve only the best.

Be humble, kind and teachable.