I don't wana be like Cinderella.

People will play in your face and look you in the eye at the same time and then tell you they don't know what you are talking about. It should be expected for people to test your limits and see how far they can throw you. However, its completely up to you how far you will allow someone to go.

When people discuss or bring up other people's children, it's always an issue. It's just some points that you can't allow people to touch. Some people will go as far to say, "You can say or do whatever you want to me, but when it comes to my children, they are off limits". I can agree that children are off limits, but you are not about to do or say whatever about me in my presence. I can't control what's done behind my back, but I can interject on things that are said and/or done in front of my face.

If my current employer hasn't taught me anything, its taught me that you have to show people how to treat you. Also, you have to speak up when something is out of your scope.

This just isn't a practice for the workspace; this is a practice to for life and people in general.

This is my favorite saying... that I made up. You may not see me or hear me, but you will feel me.

Meaning, people may not take heed to the things that you say to them and/or not even they things you show them, but they will take heed to how you make them feel when you don't fuck with them anymore.

People don't take heed until you do the opposite of what they expect you to do.

I say all that to say, ultimately don't play about you! You can't expect other people NOT to play about you, and you play all day! That's their ammo! Yeah, you know your deepest darkest secrets, but people can still smell them on you. They can smell the insecurity, the people pleasing, the performative mask, and the uncertainty of self.

You have to get all that shit in check! You have to know and recognize when you need and/or deserve better and/or more. You should speak up for yourself! Shit, practice in the mirror if you have to. Let them know the FIRST time, this isn't going to work for you. Not the fourth or fifth time. Establish that the first time!

People don't say "Man, he only shot me one time!" No! They say, "I've been shot!" People don't say "He only stabbed me once". No! "They say, "I was stabbed". So why say, "They only messed up one time." One time is too many. One time is enough to address it. I can admit, I used to say, "I'll address it if they do it again." I would literally wait for the person to show me disrespect again! Doesn't that just sound crazy! It sounds crazy because it is!

Nobody is coming to save you! Quite literally, there is no princess locked away in the high towers with the dragon guarding the door and the night and shining armor waiting his whole life to come and rescue her. That shit is a made-up fantasy! Fairytale ... simply a story. Fictional.

You have to save you... You are your own Knight and shining armor. It's you! You have to learn you, you have to love you, and you have to give you unconditional love.

Everything you are looking for in the outside world is literally within.

It's your light. It may be shining too bright today. And they just don't like that! Never dim it! For nobody!

Keep shining ... tell the people to get some shades!

So why... Why would you let the next bitch play in your face? Address it! The FIRST TIME!