Stand Up


Do you? Do you stand up for yourself? Do you stand up for what you believe in? Are you willing to put your foot down and challenge those who wish to infringe upon your beliefs, your morals, or your rights?

While many will publicly answer ‘yes, of course’ when asked if they will stand up for themselves, there are many that don’t. It seems to be popular to take the path of least resistance even if it is to one’s detriment.

What I see more often than not is a bandwagon mentality. I see that people flock towards the safety of the masses and refuse to have their true inner beliefs and feelings made public. Is this refusal for fear of rejection, degradation, or is it plea for acceptance? I, to be quite honest don’t have the answer.

Take a minute to step back and view this dilemma from another angle. We agree that many dismiss the importance of standing up for one’s self and are satisfied with the opinions and beliefs of the masses. Take a minute to think about this trend at a humanistic level. Do those who cannot or will not stand up for themselves stand up for the rights, beliefs, opinions, or morals of others. If they don’t have the desire or willingness to protect their own values, will they protect yours?

We think that our friends or those close to us “have our back”. Do they? Do you?

Are you willing to stand up in defense of a friend who is being defamed, insulted, or ridiculed? Or will you take the path of least resistance and not say a word?

If you refuse to defend a friend’s honor are you still a friend? Can you be trusted? Can you be respected?

Perhaps it’s time that we as individuals think about the sometimes assertive opinions of the masses. Think about your personal values. Think about your friends, those you love, as well as those who love you. Think about standing up for what you believe in. Think about standing up for others.

"Stand Up"

Its never easy to Stand Up. It takes effort.
Anything worth something takes effort. Takes work.
Real work is labor and labor leaves you tired.

A dirty hand makes a clean hand dirty…….never the opposite.
A weed can ruin a garden…a flower will never kill a weed.
A rotten apple will spoil a whole barrel…….never the opposite.

Integrity.

Who are you?……..the real you.
Are you somebody different at work? at home? at church? With friends?

Now, I'm not talking about putting on different hats of different roles.
There is a time to be a working professional and a time to play with your kids.
I'm talking about your core values.
What you feel is right or wrong.
Do you allow certain behaviors to exist in your presence dependant on who's around?

A person with Integrity does not always do everything perfect. They make mistakes.
Difference is the continuous pursuit of trying to do the right thing no matter the circumstance or outcome.

Sometimes you'll fall - but get up, dust yourself off and continue.


I Stand up for my family, friends and my beliefs.

Looks like we walk on common ground Crusty

If you refuse to defend a friend’s honor are you still a friend? Can you be trusted? Can you be respected?

I think it takes greater fortitude to stand up to your "friends."


If/when they do something you don't agree with, do you say something or look the other way just to avoid the issue? Very few people would face it head on, under the guise of being "non-confrontational."

If you support someone who is morally wrong just because he or she is your friend, then your morals can be bought, just for friendship.

I found out over the last year that someone I work with who was supposed to be a great friend wasn't anything more than a work buddy (when times are good). She flat out turned on 3 of us and refused to "get involved" because she didn't want any trouble at work. Told us right to our faces that she would not help us.

I am the last one standing of the 3 of us and the friend is really nothing more than a work buddy now who I will never trust again!

That's a good point Steve and one I hadnt thought of.

Of course you're talking about an act that is in great contrast to your moral standards and not just an annoying 'tick' that a friend has, I assume.

The scary thing is sometimes we dont really KNOW who our friends are.

While I have a ton of aquaintances and buddies, my "friend" list is very small....I have to know who I can trust, who I can rely on in an emergency, who I can call upon when shiat hits the fan...My "friends" can expect the same of me.

the last time i stood up for myself i got called a Bitch..sooo this has become a permanent fixture on my lame space profile