Adventures in living a healthy, juicy life
by Cheryl Ragsdale
Here’s an excellent illustration (on video) of how to deal with someone who makes you so nervous, you can’t think straight.
Sometimes, just answering a simple question gets us into trouble.
How would you outwit this Bridge Keeper?
Waffling or going back and forth with your answer is not a sign of courage and strength.
King Arthur comes up with an ingenious way to foil the bully guarding the bridge. Plus, it’s hilarious.
Feeling intimidated?
Take a deep breath and consider all the moves you could make or the things you could say. Then, choose the best one.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
The only way to get good at standing up for yourself, is to practice standing up for yourself.
Stay cool and don’t say anything if you’re really angry. Once you say something, it’s hard to take it back.
Perhaps you’ll feel more creative if you make your interaction into a game. Win or lose, how you play the game will garner respect.
Or not.
No, it won’t always go your way, but that is how we learn. We figure out what went wrong and then make adjustments.
Stop allowing others to verbally abuse you.
Allow Valiant King Arthur to show you the way…
______________________
Monty Python and The Holy Grail
The Bridge Keeper Asks 3 Questions
If you have a good story to share about how you managed an interaction with a gruff person, please share in the comments section (midway down the page on the right hand side of this post).
What’s your favorite tactic?
___________________
Cheryl Ragsdale practices martial arts for fun and physical fitness at Florian Martial Arts Center. Stand up for yourself and stay young from the inside out.
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Youtube
Twitter: joubess
#
I love Monty Python and the Holy Grail!!!
It’s easier to survive when you can outsmart, outwit, or know more than your opponent. Sometimes that means asking a question to get them off track, and you win!
Or you can do it like the Bush 43 administration: get everyone asking the wrong questions and it doesn’t matter what your answers are.
Sherri
Sherri–Being the Change I Wish to See´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..Ugandan kill-the-gays bill part 16- Rachel Maddow interviews David Bahati
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
#
Badda-bing! I wouldn’t want to wrangle with you, Sherri
Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..15 Most Dangerous Places To Drive on Earth- Don’t Text and Drive!
Twitter: raymond8
#
Thanks for sharing the video. That’s really funny and smart.
Raymond Chua´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..Meaning of Angry
Twitter: raymond8
#
If you don’t stand up for yourself, no one will.
Raymond Chua´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..Meaning of Angry
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
#
Amen, brother
Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..15 Most Dangerous Places To Drive on Earth- Don’t Text and Drive!
Twitter: EarnestOne
#
Funny video, Cheryl! I don’t know that I’ve ever sat through an entire Monty Python video…perhaps I should.
I actually enjoy cranky/gruff people and usually find them funny. Laughing at their comments tends to loosen them up and I often get along quite well with them. It doesn’t always work; the ones who don’t respond well to laughter I just leave alone.
There is one guy who’s a higher-up in a sport that we’re involved in that I really just don’t like. There’s something about him that I do not trust and his gruff way of speaking does not sit well. Rather than let him get to me, I just cooperate when he’s in charge of the event and sigh thankfully when he’s not.
I think that ultimately standing up to someone who’s difficult has the most to do with how I view myself. If I’m confident in myself and what I’m doing, that shows and they tend not to bother me too much.
Amy LeForge´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..Guest Post- How the Internet Makes Parenting Easier
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
#
Hi Amy,
There’s a lot to be said for how we project confidence and set boundaries with people. Then, there are those people who just like to see how far we will let them go. Looks like you’ve got a handle on things
Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..How To Stand Up For Yourself- Identify Immediate Concerns
Great Post, Cheryl!
I also agree that practicing to stand up for yourself will help you. I would also ask people to establish where the line of what they consider disrespect is at. There are times where we can let things go, but if someone crosses a line then act on it…
Seriously explain to the individual where they crossed that line. This establishes boundaries and also demands respect.
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
#
Hi Elmer,
You bring up a great point about establishing where the line is for each of us. Not knowing allows other people to go too far sometimes. Then we have a hard time battling back to set our boundaries up again. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m coming over to visit your blog next
Cheryl´s Last Fabulous Post [type] ..Twitter Hop Thursday on thatgirlisfunny
Twitter: happymakernowco
#
The key is not to let others intimidate you, which can be a little hard sometimes. One thing I do when this happens is to picture that person standing there in their underwear. It really takes the intimdation down to another level. That my story.
Debbie
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
#
Hi Debbie,
That’s a good visual trick to keep your temper from flaring. It would be hard not to laugh out loud though