“When someone shows you who they are, believe them . . . the first time.”
— Maya Angelou

Believe them the first time. Don’t wait for them to keep ON showing you. Because they will.

It’s such good advice. I believed it and thought I was following it. I was, as far as it goes, but I’ve realized it needs to go a little further. Maybe not everyone needs this part spelled out, but apparently, I do.

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time and then TAKE ACTION based on that knowledge!

Don’t just sit there nodding your head and KNOWING it. How does that help you? DO the thing or STOP DOING the thing like somebody with good sense would if they knew what you know about this person!

Among other things, that may be:

> Saying no to a date (or to another one)
> Refusing to loan (or invest) money
> Keeping your secrets to yourself
> Looking for a new job now instead of later
> Something else

As I deal with the impact of not taking action sooner, I am somewhat comforted by this other famous bit of wisdom from Maya Angelou. “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

I’m trying, Maya.

And then she said, “Everything in the universe has a rhythm. Everything dances. No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.”