I once wrote the lyrics to a country music song, “Love Don’t Stick To My Teflon Heart.” It’s about dealing with love and rejection and how your broken heart may be fried like an egg but it will never crack. I hope it sells one day and makes me Platinum. (Dolly P., Nashville, are you listening??)
The terms “Teflon” and “Tar Baby” have been around in politics for awhile. Ronald Reagan was called “The Teflon President.” Criticism never seems to stick to “Teflon” people. The term “Tar Baby” has generated criticism for its racist overtones even though it originated from the Tales of Uncle Remus which I read as a child. Several presidential candidates have been called out for using the term in their speeches.
But, for the purpose of this blog post which is about empowered thinking and attitude, I am using them by my own definition in a postive way as a point of reference in dealing with negativity and unpleasant situations.
Teflon Gals don’t let negative things stick to them. They turn lumps into lessons. They know when to fire up their energy to turn things around and when to cool down when it’s no longer worth it. They take pressure well and don’t turn into pressure cookers. Teflons gals know when to hold it or fold it, keep it or toss it.
Tar Babies, on the other hand, cannot handle sticky situations and are only further aggravated by them. Tar Babies get stuck in ruts. Tar Babies let negative things get stuck under their skin. Tar Babies stay down in the dumps, a.k.a. the tar pit. (If you have ever visited the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles you know how stinky and desolate that can be.)
Obviously it is better to be Teflon than Tar. Or maybe a little of both. They key is never let your heart, your mind or your attitude get stuck in a rut or a bad situation, but also know when it is important to hold on and stick with someone or something that really matters,.
