Standing Up Rather than Backing Down -

I'm a wimp, I'll admit. There are very few things that are worth sweating about, arguing about, taking a punch for. I'd rather compromise than fight. I'd rather come to an agreement than compromise. I guess that is compromise! Heated conversations are great, but name calling, "everyone say's'ing" all in the name of pointing fingers is malicious, hurtful, and not good for anyone, including the instigator.

And today I was bullied. And I took the hit. And now I feel like shit - like a typical middle-aged Mormon woman who doesn't know how to stand up for her truth, for her rights, and allows a man/men to push her around.

Mind you, this wasn't in a religious situation, yet the scenario was such that I listened (BTW, the bully called me, not face to face), and then I answered - damn it; I answered the allegations - when I should have said, "NYGDB," yet while maintaining a little of my dignity, I took his punches, then hung up.

And then I wrote a pissy email, didn't push send, didn't push save, deleted, and called a male friend who had no idea where this bully was fighting from or for, and listened - imagine that! And told me next time (and I'm sure there will be) to say, "You're not the boss of me."

I'm 61 years old, and when it comes to standing up for myself, do I need to have someone else validate the "You're not the boss of me," phrase I've been taught all my life?

I gotta remember my "I won't back down" statements for this year. Truth is truth, even when it's mine.


(Interestingly, when I looked for a "You're not the boss of me," image, they were all either men yelling at men, or children yelling at parents, or very condescending or apologetic women. And, I can't find a Youtube of a woman singing "I Won't Back Down.")