stand up for my beliefs

Last week I took communion and a couple of weeks before that I signed a pro-life petition. All I had to do was not do it. . . but I’m so desperate to be a part of things and to be liked.

I discovered that since about 1997, standing up for my beliefs has become my habit…it was not something I tried to do….rather, I try consistently (and regularly fail) to be rigorously honest. Interestingly, this has helped me to discover core values I did not know I have…for example, I find that I may hold personal freedom more important than any other right…

The squinchy, squirmy feeling that I have not been honest (true to myself) is becoming more and more familiar…and yes I regularly have it…but I find that I now speak my mind rather than risk tolerating that squinchiness. Really this usually means saying that I don’t understand something…but often when I don’t understand, that means something is wrong! In the past I was ashamed to admit when I was confused, or sensed a conflict, I felt I was not worthy to object. Now, I just do. I think it may be, that I like the clarity of thinking I achieve when I speak up, and I like being able to leave the difficult things behind after I speak.

I’m sick of being manipulated by the people I love.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m crazy busy right now between work, grad school, and working out (not to mention finding time to socialize). If I didn’t feel it was all worthwhile, I would go insane with hatred for my lack of free time/time to relax.

You can never stop standing up for yourself and fighting if you want to accomplish anything. It’s too easy to become complacent, especially for me. Everytime that happens, though, my life starts becoming less and less enjoyable and fulfilling.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” (Edmund Burke)

“If a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he isn’t fit to live.” (Martin Luther King)

I believe in the right to determine your own future.
I believe people will do what they want to do.
I believe in the right to fail, and to succeed.
I believe in rewarding people for their efforts.
I believe in free enterprise.
I believe in the republic, for which I stand.
I believe people are good, and will make good choices.
I believe humans are meant to be free.
I am not meant to be shackled, belittled and pigeonholed for 50 hours a week.
I am meant to spend my time building others up.
I am a natural coach, and will spend my life in building and challenging winners.