Posted on by Belladonna

Show Yo Ass

When I was a young Bella, I remember the ladies in my church, my mother, and every other adult telling the kids to sit down when they thought we were being too noisy or disruptive, what they called ‘doing too much. ‘

There was always this tension in me, a desire to speak up and say, ‘Y’all ain’t doing enough!’ But I knew I had to show respect. The fear of a reprimand was too real. So, like all the other kids, I obediently took my seat and found solace in a quiet corner of the church, often with a view of the stained glass windows. 

It wasn’t that we were bad kids, we were just full of life, always laughing and having fun. But that often led to us being scolded. I’m sure many of you can relate to this dynamic of being reprimanded for just being kids.

You know the look! 

That look would make a grown man cry and ask what he did wrong. Unfortunately, we were used to the look, so when our moms or adults turned away from us, we gave the look back. I’m sure many of you can relate to this dynamic and the unspoken power of ‘the look, a silent language we all understand.

That look meant we or I were showing my ass and being a little too much. And I would immediately pipe down and become something I wasn’t: a quiet, nonexpressive being.

And that sucked! 

So today and every day, I want y’all to be loud, happy, vibrant human beings. Don’t allow anyone to put you on the quiet shelf. Jump down and show yo ass.

And if anyone tells you that you are being them too much, let them know that they aren’t being enough!

You could have chosen any blog to read, but you chose mine, and I’m honored!

~Belladonna~

31 Replies to “Show Yo Ass”

  1. Pingback: Show Yo Ass Saturday – Belladonna’s Flashlight | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  2. I’ve always loved the saying, “There’s a time and a place for everything,” because the older I get, the more I realize the truth of it.

    As I look back on much of how we were in church when we were scolded was NOT for church at all. It was for outside. 😆🤣😂

    I apply my wholeness to places where my wholeness should be. And believe-you-me, folks get all of that–no crumbs remaining, either.

    Sometimes, some people who are “too much” really are too intense. And really, when I realize that, I remove myself from around that person or people. The last thing I ever want to do is attempt to change anyone.

    I’m old enough to know it cannot be done, and all sorts of people make this world go ’round. Some of them just aren’t my cup of tea or they’re too strong of a tea for me.

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  3. Haha, great look at the subtleties of the kid/adult power struggle. Theirs was always the blunt force approach while we were pretty effective with our end-run and guerrilla tactics 😂😎

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  4. I don’t think I remember being scolded at home for being too loud but in med school a group of friends would find something very funny and would start giggling and get reprimanded by our teachers.

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  7. We didn’t attend church as a family, but my brother and I were taught to be quiet on the lake when my parents were fishing. Quiet and still. 🎣

    I was told I was too much once, and it did cause me to shrink parts of myself until I realized two things: some people want you to stay small because of their own stuff (fear, control, laziness, etc.) and second, they aren’t your people! 🤯

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