No Baby Buzzkills

one You can agree to disagree about things that you believe with people who are in your orbit and it's okay. It's not a contest and you don't have to be emotional and undone. It really is all good and, if you enjoy that person's company, you just agree to not discuss that thing anymore. You can figure out pretty quickly how somebody feels about something and if it's not what you believe and you really like their company - just ssshhhhhhhh.

two Be real. Get real and stay real. Don't say one thing and do another. If you think you are super-duper smart or religious or political or physically fit or philanthropic - just be those things and don't devalue them by telling anybody about it. If you're doing it right, everybody will know. When you talk about it, it makes it seem like you are insecure and

doubtful enough as to need somebody else's approval. You don't need that; You quietly got this.

three Please don't be a buzzkill, baby. I know it's hard to grow up or eat vegetables or attend things you didn't dream up, but you have to suck it up sometimes and act like you're happy anyways. You don't have to act happy all the time, that would be wickedly mean and ridiculous. You do have to have manners and know when to use them. If there is any doubt, feel free to read any one of the hundreds of short, sweet little bites of etiquette I have already shared here. I wouldn't have written them if I didn't love you.

© 2015 moemasters thesethreethings

crabbiness, thieves and throw-downs

one There are going to be days where you are just crabby. There could well be no one good reason for it, or it could be a cumulative effort from a million small things that you didn't even notice. But, know that there will be days where you won't be sunshine and unicorns. It just happens. It also makes you appreciate the days when you're inexplicably happy WAAAAY more.

two Don't make it easy for the bad guys. At the end of the day, when you're all done riding your bike around the neighborhood, put it away in the garage or wherever it belongs. If you leave it out front, it could get jacked way too easily. And, when you grow up, don't leave your keys in the ignition of your unlocked car. Someday it will get stolen. On the Internet: Protect yourself. Just be as smart about it as you can be ~ think it through. Just don't make it any easier for the bad guys than it already is. They're crafty and apparently have a lot of time on their hands to think up new and clever ways to upset your applecart.

three People who love each other will have disagreements. The greater the love, the greater the pain and the bigger the throw-downs. There could be slamming, stomping, swearing and tears. Probably. Maybe. That doesn't mean that it's time for you to bail. Learn to fight* fair and don't sucker-punch the people you love (and who love you) most. Get over it and iron out all the wrinkles as soon as you can. Anything worth having is worth fighting for.** And, conversely: If you find yourself on the front porch of a fight but you don't really want to burn the calories on it: It's probably not worth it to you and you need to cut ties and walk away.

*Fighting should never ever involve physical contact. I'm talking about disagreements here. IF anybody ever hits you or bites or kicks you: RUN AWAY, little baby. 

**I say these things like I know or have tested the theories. I have personally never experienced any degree of success in this arena, but I know people who've been together for 20-30 years, and I've seen how they roll.

copyright 2011 moemasters thesethreethings

The Weight of Scars

kwanza Anybody worth their salt has got some great scars. Not bruises. Not welts. Not black eyes and broken noses. Great scars.

pili Nobody's scars weigh more than anybody else's scars. The pain that we have all gone through - the pain that has shaped the directions we have taken and things we have survived  - be it rapes, deceased children or murdered kittens - all weigh exactly the same in the end. This is subjective and not up for debate.

tatu The commonalities that make us family don't define us. We get to have huge disagreements on very fundamental things with people who we love and need. The people who are the most important to us, and will REMAIN the most important to us, are the ones who we CAN disagree with, find forgiveness in and love unconditionally.

copyright 2010 moemasters

Sunrise, Disagreements & Towels

gyntaf Stay up all night and watch the sunrise as often as you can. Watch the moon set and the sun come off the horizon while the birds all wake up and go crazy. If you're doing it right, you'll find out what it smells like when the night mist burns off the land. There is nothing else in the world like it.

ail Know that people have fights and cross words and disagreements sometimes. This is just a part of life that has to exist for all the really great parts to happen. Learn how to fight fair and do not EVER hit anyone. Ever. There is NO excuse EVER for hitting people.

trydydd If your towels get all rank from sitting in the washer too long - use vinegar to get that smell out. There are few things as icky as drying your face and getting a big ol snout full of set-in towel mold. Vinegar. Trust me.

copyright 2010 thesethreethings