I’m at a point in my life where I have very little patience for bullshit.   I have accepted people’s less than adequate behaviors and excuses for all of my adult life.  I’m done, over, tired of it all.   I may give someone’s foolishness a pass, but repeat offenders will be checked.  No longer do I sit quietly by biting my tongue for fear of hurting some one’s feelings.  I have feelings too.

Don’t get me wrong.  I’m not a mean person and have to think that I will never be that.  As a matter of fact, I have always been a little too nice…. to a fault.    I swallowed my nerve, shed tears publically and privately at times when I should have simply stood up for myself and/ or what I believe in.   I don’t like confrontations, never have.  And I honestly believe that there are too many folks out there who thrive on drama.

I’m not going to get into particular incidents of past nor current events.  At this juncture, they are all irrelevant.  Nothing in my life compares to the relevance and triumphs of neither the civil rights movement nor the stance that Rosa Parks took on that historical bus ride.  What’s important to me now is to know who I am, what I want, how I expect to be treated, and where I am going.  The missing element is that I may not always know when.  I just have to carry myself strong, proud and with a confidence and grace that says, “Here I am so respect me or get out of my life.”

In order to get respect, you have to give it.  That’s an old lesson to live by.  So why settle for anything less?  I say to you, never let fear of loss prevent you from speaking your truth.  As long as you’re being fair, honest and reasonable, you have every right to speak up, put your foot down or make some noise when the situation calls for it.

For some of you, I’m preaching to the choir.   Good for you for having it together….. For others, there will always be room for improvement.

Now I need to go work on my patience.  It’s a virtue! ;^)