"What Do I Stand For, What Do I Believe In, And What Will I Fight For?"
Posted: Saturday, June 13, 2009
by Susan Thom
We are taught to have manners when we are young. "Yes please, no thank you." We're told to have respect for our elders, and never answer them back. We develop our own personalities, gathered together by all those involved in our lives. We pick up on Mom's kindness, and Dad's strong work ethics. We assimilate stubbornness and anger, sweetness and depression.
So, we have a package of personality traits, accumulated throughout the years. I have recently been through a situation that had me asking myself, "Who am I? What do I stand for, What do I believe in, and What will I fight for?" Pretty sobering questions at 52. I had time on my hands, and I used it to really think about these questions.
I figured, if I could answer the questions, "What do I stand for, What do I believe in, and What will I fight for?", I'd have a pretty good idea of who I am. What do I stand for?" Okay, I hold honesty to be the number one character trait to have. I don't like to be lied to, and I do not like to lie. I go to great lengths not to do so, such as in the case of someone asking me if I like their new SUV, and I think it looks like a garbage truck.
I'm past the years of needing approval, and being liked. Now, I can tell them the truth, but in the nicest way possible. I'm not going to go on and on about how they should be worried about dogs following behind them. I can simply say, "I don't really like the style for me, but I'm glad you're happy. It took me many years to get to this point, and I am glad I am there.
Lessons learned can do a number on every cell of your being. I may have the scars, but I can also tell the truth. Fear became better understood, and therefore, handled, a long time ago. If you're not in fear of the repercussions of telling the truth, you've come a long way. Weakness of being yelled at or reprimanded, will most assuredly result in one lie after the other.
We are a sum of all of our experiences, and as life pulls us along, we go through situations and circumstances that test our abilities to cope. If we keep pushing ourselves to work through life's problems, we gain the strength we need for future happenings. And for telling the truth, regardless of the consequences. I also found myself to be very strong, physically and emotionally.
Oh, I have my depression I battle with, but on the whole, I keep it together pretty well. And when I can't, I deal with whatever is going on, to the best of my ability, which sometimes, isn't very much. I know where my mind, heart, and soul has gone, and that type of pain has encouraged me to work hard at doing the right things. There's always going to be that pain and aggravation and anger and questions.
However, learning how to interpret those emotions, and soothe them, and allow them to mend, creates peace of mind, and there's nothing like peace of mind. I haven't gotten totally there yet, but I will. When our emotions aren't in an uproar, neither are we! Nor are our nerves, stomachs, intestines, minds, or hearts. It has taken me practice, but I'm a lot better at it. I've learned not to care what other people think, I know what I stand for, and who I am.
Honest, bearing integrity, kind, thoughtful, selfless, concerned, altruistic, loving of nature, loving of family, and a beautiful home, giving, strong in mind, body, and soul, forgiving to a point, excited, happy, cautious, are all parts of who I am. The past couple of years have strengthened every one of these character traits. Adversity spawns wisdom and strength. Hell at the time, though.
"What do I stand for?" The desire for peace. In every home, in every human being, in every country. And I am willing to do my part in being a peaceful person, in the hopes that others will follow. If we got rid of the demons that haunt all our souls, there would be a lot less anger, and fear, and maybe then, peace could begin.
I also stand for what's fair and right and just. This applies to myself, my kids, my family, and everyone I associate with. Just be fair, right, and just and there shouldn't be many problems. And "What would I fight for?" The same things, fair, right, and justice.
Of course, I would fight for my kids, family, friends, and probably a stranger if I saw them being hurt, but experience has also taught me to be prudent and not so impulsive, so I might, in these times, call 911 from my cell phone. But in another time...
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Nicely done. I've found what I believe in, and how I believe in it (whether I live up to it or not), defines me as a person. And no, it is never too late to question one's self or one's motives. Good job.Please log in to respond to this comment.HI Michael - great point! It's not so much what we believe, its what we do with that belief that counts. Thanks for this reminder. Blessings, TeresaPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi michael,i agree with teresa-good point, it's what we do with what we believe that counts.it's hard to put our best out there when there are those who want to tear us down, but if we know who we really are, and God knows it, we only have His opinion to concern ourselves with,thank you for reading and commenting,my best regards,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Sue, beautifully said and done. "Adversity spawns wisdom and strength" A multitude of lessons and articles can come from this. Thank you for always sharing an encouraging word. Big hugs, tPlease log in to respond to this comment.hi t,sometimes, words just flow, as if there is an entity that is guiding, and i believe that to be true. God is a lot smarter than I, and He seems to get those words to come out of my mind, off the tips of my fingers, and onto an article.must be a reason.....thanks for reading and commenting,my very best,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I've found my greatest search all my life was a search for "peace of mind" I believe I found it through the past few years. There is still a lot of trouble in the world however I've learned to cope with it better today than yesterday.Please log in to respond to this comment.hi david,maybe my constant barage of emails allowed you to see things in a better perspective :)i'm done with the past, i am moving forward in a better light, and any who don't want to join me, can stay behind. it's gotten to the point now that it's just as simple as that.i don't have time or energy for negativity and pain.i, too, want peace of mind, for the first time in 52 years.and i will work hard for it.thank you for reading and commenting, it is always very much appreciated.my best to you,suePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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