I have heard my entire life that we either need to stand for something or we will fall for anything; and I can see that. I say with all honesty that unfortunately I have fallen for quite a bit throughout my life. Not something I would say I am totally proud of but as I am getting older, and hopefully wiser, I realize that all the incidents of falling for things I possibly didn’t believe in, doing things I felt deep inside were not what I wanted to do or needed to do ; possibly becoming the “victim” of manipulation by people who felt they DID know what they wanted and what they stood whether they did or not, were actually all blessings in my life! Yes, blessings!
I believe there are a small group of fortunate individuals who have a focused and clear vision of what their purpose is and what they stand for from an early age; could be due to great parenting or just sheer divine intervention; for those folks I am sincerely happy. But for the rest of us, finding that direction, that set of beliefs, morals and values; that purpose by which we know without a shred of doubt we were created, only comes after years of hard-fought battles. Many of those battles we come out of the other side battered and bruised and why? We entered the battle really not standing for anything. We didn’t even really know what we were fighting for. When the soldier enters battle unaware of his purpose for fighting, the cause for which he could potentially lose his life, then sadly the later typically happens. His life is taken!
I feel like I have recently been awakened in my own life to the fact that although I am physically here on this earth, in every other aspect of life; in specific mentally and spiritually I have been dead! Why? I had not been fighting nor standing for anything! I don’t believe that it is evil that is overtaking our country and our world, but rather complacency and a belief that we need not fight for anything; nor for anyone; for any cause; for any belief. The saddest thing when faced with this reality is that we take ourselves out of the game; we rob ourself of the impact we could be and should be having on society and humanity as a whole; quite frankly if we are believers, then it’s our responsibility!
I have come to a belief and a purpose that I have decided to stand up and fight for; quite frankly to die for and that is for us; the human race; every brother and sister out there regardless of race, nationality, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, the good, the bad or the ugly. We were all created by one Maker and that makes us one; whether we like it or not.
I realize, as with everything in life, tons of people will think I am nuts, totally disagree with everything I am saying and say I am off track and out of line and guess what; that’s OK. I respect them anyway. Why? They are my brother and sister! But and this is a BIG BUT; I refuse to be a zombie in this life any longer; I refuse to silence my own voice because I am afraid of being isolated, judged or not accepted. Here’s a little secret; those things are going to happen anyway! So my choice, and the choice I challenge you to make is to stand up for something; find something that gets your heart pumping with passion; something that keeps you up at night with excitement; something you can believe in; something you would fight for; something you would die for and it is at that time you will realize you are alive. You can never truly know what you are alive for until you know what you would die for! Stand up and make an Impact!
Passion I find in the love of my husband for 47years now and to be thankful to be stil together
Amen to that! working on year 23 for my wife and myself and hope to be as blessed as you! Thanks for the comment! 🙂
Your passion sure shines through and I agree – finding that passion, that belief, that thing / things to stand for is oh so important. I still work part time as a teacher and a few months back I asked a group of kids (13-14 year olds) what they felt was worth fighting for. What would make them take a stand. Non of them had anything they could think of right away. That made much more sad than if they would have had a belief that I didn’t agree with! However I’m sure that if I would have prodded a little something would have surfaced. Personally I have always been “on fire” and have instead had to learn to burn with just as much passion, but with a lot less anger and a lot more love. 🙂
Well put… It makes sense to keep the firs burning but with less anger and move love! RIGHT ON! Thanks for the post! 🙂
I’ve been through some of those same experiences with falling for things… and hopefully I’ve walked away wiser and more confident in forming and following my own convictions. And it’s definitely true that no matter what position we take and whether we speak up or stay silent, we’ll be criticized and judged. So might as well speak up!
Thanks for comment. It really didn’t dawn on me till not too long ago about how people react; you will be criticized either way so why give up you right to share, stand up for something and potentially make and in impact; even if its on pne person. That one person, regardless of all the nay sayers, made it worth it! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks for the reply. Its great to have others confirm my belief that no matter what we do or say thay we will be criticized. Knowing this why would anyone give up their right on the own and lose out on the ability to stand for something and make an Impact! THANKS!
Agreed! For a little while I thought it took me a long time to come around and find courage to speak. Now I realize that some never do, so any time is “early” in the game of life.
Good point! making us even MORE blessed! 🙂
Good for you!!
I needed to hear this. I’ve gotten a little sidetracked this past year. I’ve made the “resolution” to get back on schedule. Thanks!
Hi Jeff, Great post. As someone who has known you for your whole life I have to say that I am so proud of you for standing up for your beliefs. I loved when you said “I refuse to silence my own voice because I am afraid of being isolated, judged or not accepted.” I spent the 1st 30 years of my life living that way and I don’t ever want to go back. Thanks for a great post – keep it up! Enjoy the challenge. Michele
Thanks so much Michele….means the world to hear you say that; I have felt that way myself and for most of my life I believe I have most things because others wnated me to and with the hope of being accepted. No longer! I am pumped and ready to take caontrol of my life! I appreicate you reaching out and offering your wisdom, knowledge, resources and most importantly your love! Thanks cuz for everything! Look forward to working more closely in the future!
Fantastic Jeff. From our conversations, we both know what we have put on the line to do right. Your passion jumps off of the screen and it is fun to see! Keep it up! I really like how you are weaving insights into your writing along with a bold sense of connection! Strong!
The personal anecdotes are powerful too.