Be Nice

My mom taught me something very pertinent
in the world and in my life.
She would always say, "Be Nice!"
Grand advice!
Except she wasn't finished.
She would continue, "Until it's time to NOT be nice."

She never said to be mean.
She never said to do bad things.
She simply meant that at some point,
you stop allowing people to walk on you,
belittle you,
degrade you,
and you stand up for yourself,
speak your mind,
defend your own space,
realize your value.

Today . . . Be Nice

. . . until . . .