Ego or Self Respect?
I joked with my mother today about my “healthy dose of self respect” aka attitude. Simply put - I don’t let people walk all over me. I’m little but I’m assertive when I need to be. This quality has served me well, inspired me to do always be reaching for the next level…and probably irritated a person or two along the way.
Then there are others who are more passive. These folks don’t personalize it when they are undervalued and they don’t demand better treatment.
I know that somewhere in between my indignation and their apathy is the balance where we all should live. Knowing it doesn’t mean I don’t want to light a fire under those accepting a lifestyle, job, lover or situation that is less than what they deserve. Even if I actually manage to keep my mouth shut (no advice, no pep-talks) I ache inside to see them stand up for themselves. Silly as it sounds, I’d readily mount a horse and joust on behalf of their honor.
Sometimes I get thanked for being a good cheerleader. Other days I get snidely called superwoman and criticized for projecting. Maybe both of those scenarios please me - because I’ve either made you feel good or made you fight back. Of course, I could just mind my own business - but where’s the love in that?!