The epitome of a true Southern Belle, to me, has always been the characters Suzanne and Julia Sugarbaker from the television comedy, “Designing Women”. Suzanne, the frilly, flighty, beauty queen seems quite shallow at times, but really does have a tender heart underneath all that make-up. Her sister, Julia, is the strong, loyal, quick-witted one who can cut a person in two by simply using words. Marry the two personalities together and you have ‘The Southern Belle’ complete with a strand of pearls, high heeled shoes, and the ever present Southern drawl that keeps you hanging on until the very last word is spoken.
Suffice it to say, by living in the south, we are raised with a set of standards that are matched by none. Southern Belle standards; southern rules of conduct, if you will. There's a great website that sells Southern Belle t-shirts complete with sassy sayings: http://www.southernbellestore.com/. If you want a quick laugh or have a Southern Belle that you think lives one of the quotes from the t-shirts, check the site out and order something!
Sassy sayings and quotes stick with us. We will remember those type words long after others' advice has been forgotten. Here are a few that stuck with me - they seem to be a modern day Southern Belle's words to live by, if such a list were ever to exist.
1.) “Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.” – Didn’t your Mamma ever teach you that ‘can’t never could’? Keep your eyes on the ball, remain focused, and think positive! Life is not to be lived on the sidelines.
2.) “Southern Belle weight loss tip…use super glue as lip gloss!” – That old Jimmy Buffett song, Fruitcakes, has a line in it: “…I treat my body like a temple, you treat yours like a tent…” For goodness sakes, honey-chile, you are what you eat! Don’t be a twinkie or a ho-ho. Little Debbie sure is cute, but I bet she’s not stuffing her face full of Swiss Cake Rolls right now either!
3.) “Life is a grindstone…whether it grinds you down or polishes you up depends on what you are made of!” – True pearls, when tested, have a bit of grit to them. Regardless of what life throws your way, if you survive it with a positive attitude, you may have a few rough spots about you but you'll become the ‘real deal’. Those smooth folks are the fakers!
4.) “Focus on your own drama…I can handle mine!” – Mind your own business, darlin’. We Southerners live in towns where everybody knows our name. We don’t need you gettin’ up in our business, too, and spreadin’ word all over town! Just remember, one of these days you’ll have some business you don’t want spread…
5.) “Sometimes good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.” – Honey, we all think change is bad. But what happens when the good Lord causes upheaval in our lives? He’s providin’ the window we need for that item to fly. That way, there's more room for 'the better things in life' to walk right on in through the front door!
6.) “Sugah, a Southern Belle knows if our southern drawl doesn’t get you, our southern charm will!” – Now, you know you’ll do just about anything for a sweet, Southern Belle to respond, “Why darlin’, aren’t you the bee’s knees?!”
7.) “Southern Belles don’t get grey hair, we call them stress highlights!” – Turn that frown upside down! And nevah, evah let them see you ‘glisten’. Grey is the new blonde, don’t you know?
8.) “Life is short; keep your party dress on.” – Living life out loud is the best part of the deal. Don’t forget we’re only given one chance to live; make the most of it!
9.) “A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, strong enough to fix them, and smart enough to listen to me next time!" – My sweet Papaw used to say about my Mamaw that while he was the head of the household, she was the neck that turned it. Take note, gentlemen, we Southern Belles were created to be strong, resilient, and yet soft as cashmere. You may try, but you will never tame us!
10.) “Don’t ever look down on anyone unless you are helping them up.” – Sounds like a good bit of ‘hometrainin’’ to me (thank you very much, dear college roomie for that term)…make sure you always help others out. You never know when you’re going to find yourself down on your luck and in need of a friend.
11.) “No matter how far you travel the world, you’ll find nothing better than an Alabama girl.” – Just think about this: we’re Southern Belles, we love our Daddy’s, and we root for good ole places like Auburn University…can’t ask for much more in a worthy gal, now can you?
12.) "The most precious gems you'll ever put around your neck are the arms of your children!" - My Pride and Joy can chase the blues away any day with a hug. I love those children 'to the moon and back' and always welcome one of their 'big mama bear hugs'!
13.) "In life everyone trips...some fail, but some turn the trip into a Beautiful Dance!" - Well, ain't you something when you can make lemonade out of lemons?! Try it sometime; it sure beats being an ole sour puss!
14.) "Always use tasteful words because you may have to eat them!" - Eatin' crow is not a delicacy!
15.) “Laugh when you can, apologize when you should, and let go what you can’t change.” – Laughter truly is the best medicine. Apologies should be sincere. Letting go of the things you cannot change makes room for more laughter and fun. Refer to Rule #8 on this one, darlin’! If you can laugh and let it all go, you’ve got more time to dance in that party dress!
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