Unapologetically Real 6

Question of the Day:

“7 things negative people will do to you. They will…
1. Demean your value;
2. Destroy your image
3. Drive you crazily!
4. Dispose your dreams!
5. Discredit your imagination!
6. Deframe your abilities and
7. Disbelieve your opinions!

Stay away from negative people!”
― Israelmore Ayivor

I am still on a “no negativity” tangent since writing Badassery 10/5

I had a situation yesterday in which something that I interpreted as demeaning was said to me

by someone with whom I have a long history.

The statement was passed off as a joke, as are many such statements.

However, it followed patterns of historic statements that, to me, the meaning was undeniable.

“These are the attributes of Bullshit people; they will…blur your imagination, take your endowments for a piece of debris, make you ridiculous, and most importantly, you got to send them to the recycle bin.”
― Michael Bassey Johnson

I am not the same person who I was from 1979 to 1991.

I will no longer tolerate anyone,

I repeat,

anyone,

demeaning me —

EVER.

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

In addition,

I will not stay away from my grandchildren

because the individual may be in attendance.

“You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.”
― Toni Morrison, Song of Solomon

If it happens again,

a demeaning statement thinly veiled as a joke,

I will say something more than “fuck off”.

I will not let it slide again.

Negative cycles must be broken at some point, even 30 years later.

“Every woman that finally figured out her worth, has picked up her suitcases of pride and boarded a flight to freedom, which landed in the valley of change.”
― Shannon L. Alder

I have found that in order to embrace myself as I am and rise up to complete empowerment, I have had to reexamine everything:

How I look at the world;

How I deserve to be treated;

What I will and will not tolerate:

What I will walk away from;

and what I will stand up for:

I will always stand up for myself,

whether anyone stands with me or not.

“When you stop living your life based on what others think of you real life begins. At that moment, you will finally see the door of self acceptance opened.”
― Shannon L. Alder

I am the only person on this earth who is responsible for me.

“Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work.”

― Adrienne Rich

I am empowered.

What empowering decisions have you made recently?

If none, would you like to be more empowered?

XO Lisa ❤️