When is saying THAT okay?

I have noticed for many years now that social graces and being polite and the ole "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all" era has gone by the wayside.  We are a culture of "if I think it, I say it."  I blame tweeting and FB and Alexander Graham Bell and Bill O'Reilly.  We treat each person as if they are a guest on our radio or TV series saying whatever we want to get a high rating or worse, saying things and not really seeing the person as we talk to them face to face. I blame low self-esteem on their part, but really it is just thoughtless and rude.  It is so easy to hurt someone if you are hiding behind your phone or computer, but when when we are in their presence and still say cutting remarks....well that's just reprehensible.  Tell me: when is it ever okay to say "You look so old,"  "You are getting fat," "What's with your hair," "You DO know where babies come from?"  And in what universe is this any of YOUR business????

And we wonder why women (and now men) rush to plastic surgeons, eat emotionally, pay for psychiatrists, turn to anti-depressants, liquor, and/or drugs.

But I say, let's band together and instead of reaching for that Oreo cookie to "make us feel better" or cry ourselves to sleep over some insensitivity by another, we try....and I'll have to remember this too... let's try real hard to remember we are a child of God who is beautifully and wonderfully made.  If God expected us to look and act a certain way, we'd all be clones or the Stepford Wives.  Now that's a chilling thought.  Instead we need to look in the mirror and give ourselves a kiss and say "I love you, Self, bumps, tucks, rolls, and all."  You are unique and there is no one else like you in the world.

So the next time someone makes a snide hurting remark, let's be prepared.  Figure out now how you'll respond to show that you love yourself enough to let it bounce off those wrinkles or that double/ triple chin or that Boozo-looking hair style.  What will you say?  What can you do to show you will not let those words rule you anymore?  I plan to laugh REALLY LOUD and shake my head and walk away.  Let THEM wonder what I'm thinking about them....and Grainiacs, I think this is the most important thing: walk away as quickly  as possible.  You do not want to be in their presence at that moment.  You can walk away with dignity.  I do not suggest cutting them down.  That is not the Grainiac way.  But we can realize they are the ones with the problems....not us!

Please remember you are loved and please remind me when this happens to me....again!

And now for the lighter side of this blog, Rat Mom sent me this funny and Trevor wanted me to remind you that she has feelings too....so no comments about the tail!!!