"It's all about ass, isn't it?
You either kick it... or you lick it."
This is one of my husband's favorite movie quotes. It's from Fat Man and Little Boy, starring Paul Newman.
I haven't seen this particular movie, but I love Paul Newman and will watch anything with him in it. He always struck me as a great guy, who managed a lot of charity work and a long-lived marriage even as Hollywood royalty.
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In the south, we have a saying... Kill 'em with Kindness. I prefer to avoid confrontation and conflict unless the situation warrants. As a mom, I kick it much more than I ever did as a single woman. My children bring out the Mama Bear in me.
Thanks to my Southern upbringing, even when I kick it I prefer you feel like I'm still kissing it. It's hard to fight back when someone is telling you exactly what they think of you with a honey or two thrown in for good measure.
In writing, I relate best to a character who kisses it until he/she can't take it anymore and then they hand out a well-deserved and climactic butt-whooping. As long as the story supports the character's actions, I'm all for strength and owning it. Too much strength too soon or too much taking it for too long, and I'm a frustrated reader. Although I'll admit, if I have to choose between too strong or too weak, I'll go too strong hands down.
We will all face a time in our lives when there's no option but to kick butt and take names. Save it for when you need it. Otherwise, I truly believe you catch more flies with honey.
When is the last time you had to kick it?
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Again, thanks for joining my journey from A to Z. Please visit again for my thoughts on L through Z. Please check out other A to Z participants here.
Also, a special birthday wish to my baby sister and our web and blog master, Dana Silverthorne Newbrough.
You are an amazing sister, friend, and now mom to two beautiful girls. I love you!
5 comments:
I busted out laughing when I read that quote! Kill it with kindness I learned as a kid and prefer using this method too. And like you, having kids has brought out the Mama Bear in me. Interestingly enough, having kids has also helped me get over some of my insecurities I developed after moving to France. Great kick-ass K post Tai. :D And Happy birthday Dana!!
Great quote! True, too. Hmmm, the last time I had to kick butt. Let's see. I'm not a confrontational person at all, and generally go out of my way to accommodate and placate, BUT there was an instance where some of the leadership of a club my husband and I belong to was grumbling untrue rumors about my husband. I was a committee chairman at the time, and at the very next executive meeting, I very quietly "expressed my opinion" and set things straight. Didn't use a single "honey", either. But every single person at that meeting fell all over himself afterwards to make amends. I ended up being the club's next president, too. (Bless their hearts...)
Mmmm. Paul Newman. Yummy! I might have to watch this movie over the weekend.
Thanks for the post. As a writer, I'm more off a kiss-butt. But there's nothing like a well deserved kick-butt at the end of a story. (I wrote a scene like that lately...then I went for a nice, long run!)
Cool blog. Nice to "meet" you on A-Z!
I'm usually killing things with kindness, because I don't have the courage to stand up for what is right. There is certainly an appropriate time to show anger, especially when others are being hurt! Hope you are enjoying the challenge!
MakingTheWriteConnections
Elise, Glad I could give you a laugh!
Susan, I think people respect it when you stand up and do it for 1) the right reasons and 2) in a non-hurtful way. And I love "Bless their hearts"... another great southern saying!
Ophelia, Amen. A scene that causes you to go for a long run MUST be good! ;-)
Jarm, Loving the challenge.
I'm off to check out some A to Z blogs. Hope everyone has a great weekend!
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