You should see the view from up here on this soap box

I love a good sassy quote as much as the next person.  If I had a Pinterest account (which, hello, time sucker. People keep telling me how awesome it is, but I choose to believe they're wrong...all those millions of people on Pinterest, they're wrong, too) my board would be filled with sass, cussing, and realisms that are likely to offend a person or few.

I am not offended by truth, and, though I try not to find humor in mean-spiritedness, I will laugh at something the masses might find offensive.  I believe in being upfront and truthful, and I also believe that what you put out there is what you get back.  I'm sassy, I get that back.  Sometimes I'm kind and gentle, and I get that back.  When I'm a dick, well, I get that back, too, though I try to walk away from those times with either a lesson or a victory.

The truth is, I'm more and more conscious of is putting positive energy into my interactions with people (I'm not saying I always do so, I'm saying most times, that is my intent).  I believe that if you're positive first, you're likely to get that back.

There are times I struggle with this, but as a general rule, I try to smile and make eye contact with everyone I meet.  And, given the choice between arguing with someone and walking away, I almost always walk away.  I'm very particular about who gets to see my ugly side.

So when I ran across a quote I'd seen on Facebook a few times, I wrinkled my nose at it and rolled my eyes.  While I could see the intent behind it, I did not at all agree with the message.  The quote I'm talking about is this:  "Don't confuse my personality with my attitude.  My personality is who I am, my attitude depends on who you are."

No.  No, no, no.

Actions speak louder than words, and your attitude towards others--no matter who it is or what they did!--absolutely defines who you are.  I've said a million times that through adversity real character is revealed.

If you're letting another person dictate your actions, well, then, that speaks volumes about you as a person.  You probably don't know your own boundaries, you probably get upset with people when they (most likely unknowingly) step on those boundaries.  You probably think you're tough shit when you tell them off or put them in their "place."

But it's you who needs to know your own place.  Know who you are, know that how you interact with people is a huge part of who you are.  Know that when you enter into a situation, your attitude, your actions and words portray your character, your personality, your intentions.  Your very being.

So now I ask you:  who are you really, and are you letting the rest of the world see the real you in the right light? 

Rest assured, I am asking myself the same thing.