Thursday, April 08, 2010

Of Sticks and Stones...


“The eyes of others our prisons; their thoughts our cages.”
~Virginia Woolf

“And sometimes, their words the poison we unwittingly swallow.”
~E. Stewart


With barely perceptible movement and actions, I’m dismantling the cage, dismissing the glances and refusing to swallow that which I find unpalatable.

Progress is slow. Sometimes I lose ground.

While change is not always easy at this stage in one’s life, it is possible – and the rewards are worth the struggle.

Hell, I should have done this years ago.

Word to the wise – being nice and accommodating is not all it’s cracked up to be.

To quote Theodore Roosevelt, you can always, "Speak softly and carry a big stick…

Or in my case, a small to medium sized one. (Old habits die hard.)


20 comments:

Cid said...

We all need to realize that standing up for ourselves does not make us any less lady-like or whatever it is we are supposed to be. And just think what a great role model you are to your boys and future DIL's.

Reeny's Ramblin' said...

Own it Books!

The Author Of This said...

Don't swallow, spit! HA! Couldn't resist.

Beth said...

Cid:
Being a role model is quite the responsibility, isn’t it? And I guess it never ends.

Reeny:
Love this comment - and I’m trying!

AMC:
That’s actually not such a bad idea – far more proactive.
I’ll have to practice, though. My aim’s not so great. ;)

laughingwolf said...

just remember: you do not own anyone else's opinions... right or wrong... only your own

words, like rocks or other missiles, once hurled, cannot be taken back

oreneta said...

A small to medium stick, applied strategically will most definitely serve!

nursemyra said...

Virginia Woolf knew what she was talking about

Anonymous said...

Speaking up, speaking out and using a small-medium stick with great finesse... ah, priceless.

You have found your voice- don't let anyone make it Less.

Cheryl said...

true, sometimes being true to and taking care of yourself necessitates using an effing stick. I had a to use a stick recently...forgetting that sticks hurt...and now I must live with the consequences. Hopefully this means only better, truer, stronger friendships from now on.

Anonymous said...

Life is too short to spend it in a cage.

The Bodhi Chicklet said...

Don't forget - what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Nice gals do finish last, Beth. If you can't join 'em, beat 'em. That's what I always say. (Not really. I just made that one up.)
Do stay on track, though. After a while, it gets kind of fun to carry a stick.
Cheers,
Robyn

Maggie May said...

When I change, I often think 'i should have done this years ago'

you are awesome.

katydidnot said...

Change is hard. Carry your stick and enjoy it.

Gill - That British Woman said...

interesting thoughts and comments from everyone.

Gill

Cipriano said...

Hang [thy adversary] in there, Beth!

25BAR said...

“And sometimes, their words the poison we unwittingly swallow.”
BRILLIANT!

Angie Muresan said...

I do like your own quote, Beth. So very true! I have never been nice and accommodating, and I have been called selfish more than once. But I figure I only have one life and one chance at happiness.

Barrie said...

How did I not know that the stick saying was from Theodore Roosevelt? Amazing the holes in my knowledge!!

rebecca said...

First of all, I love your quote. Full packed with wisdom...

Secondly, this post resonated with me so much today. I've been nice and accommodating all of my life. It's so ingrained that I'm still working on this. And the thing is - the thing that I set myself up for time and time again is that I EXPECT people to be nice and accommodating in turn. Now, that's funny. A lesson I'm still learning but actually understanding the true lesson - that life is not always so - this late in the program. So, I'm a slow learner....