Catchy little phrase, isn’t it, believe you me?
The juxtaposition of the words is interesting in itself & the trio tonally pleases the tongue & ear. Along with following the rule of three traditionally employed in oral storytelling, perhaps these points are enough to explain the increasing frequency of use despite it’s archaic ‘feel’ & sound.
omne trium perfectumeverything that comes in threes is perfect, or, every set of three is complete
While the phrase dates back centuries, a compelling read by linguist Arika Okrent on Mental Floss attributes the spark in growth to the 1919 publication of the comic novel, Believe You Me, by Nina Wilcox Putnam.
And so….

Dear reader, fibromyalgia is the bane of my existence through damp & cooler seasons. While my spirit is itching to finish this post in a timely fashion for the #AtoZchallenge, my body is steering me to my bed, where my muscles can enjoy warmth & rest to be soothed & heal.
Earlier this week, I enjoyed a long & lovely drive into the country with my eldest son, Sam, & gazed upon the beautiful, rolling hills of the Eastern Townships of Quebec & the burbling streams & swollen rivers calmed my spirit. We passed farms, apple orchards & vineyards still at rest from the long winter. Sunroof open to welcome the light & windows cracked to hear the geese flying overhead, it was truly an uplifting & restorative few hours of peace & beauty. For my heart, mind & soul. My body? Unfortunately, not so much.
When my fibromyalgia flares, joints stiffen, muscles ache but most challenging for me is the exhaustion. Typically an early riser, I can sleep from 8pm through to noon the next day & awaken unrefreshed & tired.
And this is where I find myself today, on the letter ‘b’ of the #AtoZchallenge. I want to be timely. I want to be consistent. I want to be accountable, to myself & others. What I will do, is this…

To thine own self be true
Hamlet, Act I, Scene III
Today, I will accept that I have limitations & I won’t belittle myself with nasty, demeaning self-talk. I will be patient, I will celebrate my accomplishments, however minor they may be, & above all, I will…
I wish you, dear reader, a kind & loving day & weekend. I wish you health & happiness, a patient, encouraging & supportive inner voice. More than anything, I wish you peace, with the world, with others & most of all, yourself. Believe you me, it’s the best way to be.