Kick it or Kiss it = K: Blogging from A to Z

"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.

From WikipediaI think about this quote often. It's memorable, although a bit off color, and so true. In life, we can either face problems head on and kick it or decide to fight another day and kiss it, play nice.

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!