Everyone’s got one–a creed by which they live. And I’m wondering what yours is, especially if you are a parent. Because I suspect parents might give things like this more thought than those of us without children. Because they teach their kids standards.
Sometimes I have too many mottos. I believe in speaking truth, I believe in loving people and being kinds. I believe we shouldn’t be pushovers, though. When I sat down to think about it though, an episode from a job I had came to mind.
Something seriously racist happened in a meeting. I wasn’t there, but afterwards, an affected colleague came by and expressed embarrassment that they did not speak out.
“There were only two people I know who would’ve spoken out in that situation and one of them was you,” that colleague said.
I’ve never forgotten that. So I’d have to say that my motto comes down to this:
SPEAK.
“Speak.” Because silence kills. Just look at history.
Your opinion is important. We women have a long history of subjugating our opinions. Don’t. Don’t be afraid to speak up.
When you see injustice, speak out. Because when light hits injustice, well, it’s harder to ignore. The only way to drive it out is to shine a bright light on it so everyone sees it. So much harder to ignore.
We’re all in this together. Make sure you make your voice heard.
So that’s my motto. I’d love to know yours. I hope you’ll share it below in the comments. Thank you!
I fully agree with you. if something bad, wrong or incorrect is happening voices should raised against it. we have one life and we should give everyone a fair chance to live happily. Happiness can’t come without making others to be happy.
My motto – since I first heard it – “what goes around, comes around.” I live my life with this thought in mind, and it nearly always proves true, both good and bad.
I sit two stories above the street
it’s awful quiet here since love fell asleep
there’s life down below me though
the kids are walking home from school.
Some long ago when we were taught,
that for whatever kind of puzzle you got –
you just stick the right formula in
a solution for every fool!
I remember the time when i came so close with you
sent me skipping my class and running from school
and i bought you that ring cause i never was cool.
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
So i just sit up in the house and resist,
and not be seen until i cease to exist
a kind of conscientious objection
a kind of dodging the draft.
the boy and girl are holding hands on the street
and i don’t want to but i think you just wait.
it’s more than just eye to eye
learn the things i could never apply
i remember the time when i came so close to you
i let everything go
it seemed the only truth
and i bought you that ring it seemed the thing to do
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
Oh i’m just a mirror of a mirror of myself
all the things that i do
And the next time i fall
i’m gonna have to recall
it isn’t love it’s only something new.
I sit two stories above the street
it’s awful quiet here since love fell asleep
there’s life down below me though, the kids are walking home from school
i’m remembering the time when i came so close with you
skipping my class and running from school
and i bought you that ring cause i never was cool
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated least complicated
LIFE IS SHORT…LIVE EACH DAY WITH JOY, FORGIVENESS, AND GRATITUDE!
My students will tell you that I have many versions of this….LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WEAR TEE SHIRTS….LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO DRINK FROM PAPER CUPS…LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO STAY MAD!…
LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WATCH MOST TV…..LIFE IS SHORT, SO SING OUT LOUD!
I’m going to write all these down and do a list on my blog one day because already they are fabulously good. I love this one! Oh and yesterday? I layered. Just sayin’.
I have a couple: Question Authority, the old bumpersticker from the 1970s, has always resonated for me, and I’ve tried to teach my kids that as a principle.
And a version of “what goes around comes around”: “If you stand on a bridge long enough, you’ll see the body of your enemy float by.” Which, when I think about it, is kind of gruesome…but also true.
I think often, when we parent, we come to the point where we have to choose our spots. When I reached this point I really had to assess what was most important to me and it truly came down to honesty. I think my motto is a cliche, but it speaks to me the most: “do unto others. . . “
Basically two come to mind — first and foremost DO IT RIGHT AND DO IT NOW. Actually wrote a book on that subject. This was drilled into me as a kid and I still live by it. Unfortunately, I married the world’s biggest procrastinator! This can get tricky but I have it figured out how to get him to do stuff.
Secondly — Like you, I will speak out. I will fight for justice, especially when injustice is hurting someone I care about.
Thank you for this post — I am going to think about it some more as I want to “leave” mottos for my grandkids to live by.
Mine is as always, “Appreciate the good, laugh at the crazy and deal with the rest.” But I have always told my children to”Be a leader not a follower”.
Here you’ll find my blog, some of my essays, published writing, and my solo performances. There’s also a link to my Etsy shop for healing and grief tools offered through A Healing Spirit.
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I fully agree with you. if something bad, wrong or incorrect is happening voices should raised against it. we have one life and we should give everyone a fair chance to live happily. Happiness can’t come without making others to be happy.
Ah, an interesting point, Puneet.
My motto – since I first heard it – “what goes around, comes around.” I live my life with this thought in mind, and it nearly always proves true, both good and bad.
It does ring true.
My theme to live by are stolen from the Indigo Girls: The hardest to learn is the least complicated. 🙂
Say more…
I sit two stories above the street
it’s awful quiet here since love fell asleep
there’s life down below me though
the kids are walking home from school.
Some long ago when we were taught,
that for whatever kind of puzzle you got –
you just stick the right formula in
a solution for every fool!
I remember the time when i came so close with you
sent me skipping my class and running from school
and i bought you that ring cause i never was cool.
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
So i just sit up in the house and resist,
and not be seen until i cease to exist
a kind of conscientious objection
a kind of dodging the draft.
the boy and girl are holding hands on the street
and i don’t want to but i think you just wait.
it’s more than just eye to eye
learn the things i could never apply
i remember the time when i came so close to you
i let everything go
it seemed the only truth
and i bought you that ring it seemed the thing to do
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
Oh i’m just a mirror of a mirror of myself
all the things that i do
And the next time i fall
i’m gonna have to recall
it isn’t love it’s only something new.
I sit two stories above the street
it’s awful quiet here since love fell asleep
there’s life down below me though, the kids are walking home from school
i’m remembering the time when i came so close with you
skipping my class and running from school
and i bought you that ring cause i never was cool
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated
what makes me think i could start clean slated
the hardest to learn was the least complicated least complicated
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOBZ_dkGpJ4
LIFE IS SHORT…LIVE EACH DAY WITH JOY, FORGIVENESS, AND GRATITUDE!
My students will tell you that I have many versions of this….LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WEAR TEE SHIRTS….LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO DRINK FROM PAPER CUPS…LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO STAY MAD!…
LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WATCH MOST TV…..LIFE IS SHORT, SO SING OUT LOUD!
You get my drift!
I’m going to write all these down and do a list on my blog one day because already they are fabulously good. I love this one! Oh and yesterday? I layered. Just sayin’.
I have a couple: Question Authority, the old bumpersticker from the 1970s, has always resonated for me, and I’ve tried to teach my kids that as a principle.
And a version of “what goes around comes around”: “If you stand on a bridge long enough, you’ll see the body of your enemy float by.” Which, when I think about it, is kind of gruesome…but also true.
plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose
Seriously? LOL
Pay attention when things take you off track. They may be the track.
Love that.
Ignore donkey’s and other naaaaaaaaaaaaay sayers!
Ha!
“Never complain, never explain.” Borrowed from the great Kate Hepburn.
Smart lady. Both of you.
I think often, when we parent, we come to the point where we have to choose our spots. When I reached this point I really had to assess what was most important to me and it truly came down to honesty. I think my motto is a cliche, but it speaks to me the most: “do unto others. . . “
Sometimes it’s the simplest that speaks loudest.
“What is important is that my children grow up to be beautiful in the heart”. Guess it applies to me too!
Lovely.
Basically two come to mind — first and foremost DO IT RIGHT AND DO IT NOW. Actually wrote a book on that subject. This was drilled into me as a kid and I still live by it. Unfortunately, I married the world’s biggest procrastinator! This can get tricky but I have it figured out how to get him to do stuff.
Secondly — Like you, I will speak out. I will fight for justice, especially when injustice is hurting someone I care about.
Thank you for this post — I am going to think about it some more as I want to “leave” mottos for my grandkids to live by.
Carol @ Battered Hope
Your grandkids are lucky to have such a thoughtful grandma.
I think my motto has always been, “Never Give Up Hope.” Ironic since I tend to be a bit of a pessimist.
I wonder why the dichotomy?
Mine is as always, “Appreciate the good, laugh at the crazy and deal with the rest.” But I have always told my children to”Be a leader not a follower”.
All good advice.