What Do You Stand For?

Many a war has been started over what a person stood for. Many a riot, many an argument, and many a family feud, has gone on for years because of a difference in opinion over what each stood for.

What does it mean to stand for something? Let us break it down. If you stand up and declare that you believe in a particular theory or have a particular conviction on something, then you are essentially telling the world what you are a believer in your own state of mind.

Billy Graham, with all his brash and evangelistic ways, said it well, “I feel sorry for the man who has never known the bracing thrill of taking a stand and sticking to it fearlessly. Moral courage has rewards that timidity can never imagine. Like a shot of adrenaline, it floods the spirit with vitality.”

And, that was one thing that we couldn’t fault Billy Graham on, or any other public figure that has ever stood up, shook their fist, and declared their belief, their passion, their fearlessness, and their willingness to throw all caution to the wind.

Some find it easier than others to verbalise their opinions, and at the end of the day, it is your opinion that you are standing up for. 

It may be as simple as believing that every child should have a hot plate of food every night, or that your partner needs to hear that you love them every day.

Most times, when someone makes an open and bold statement, they are speaking about a very serious matter. Most times we get our beliefs from our parents or a very close family member. With Father’s Day around the corner, it may be a good time to go through what your father stood for. The man of the house generally evokes a sense of awe, and you need to ask yourself whether how you live your life has to do with what you believe in, or what your father believed in. It may not end up with such a good ending. But, at least you will know where you stand in life.

So, what do you stand for? If you had to sit down, yes just for now, and list all that you feel deeply and passionately about, what would you write down?

Most will struggle to pen down even 2 things.

So, let me make it easier for you. Whether or not you are the religious type, there are the 10 commandments that govern our lives, again, no matter whether you believe or not, we always have those “life rules” springing up at us, especially when we have been “naughty”.

Start with these and decide if any of them make you want to put your hand into a fist and declare it your thing. 

Many people that have started a group, band, or cult have started it because of a belief. And, it only takes one other to agree, to create a following.

It may be as simple as posting something on Facebook and having many comment and share your post. Perhaps you expressed that MacDonald’s makes unhealthy food and we all should stand up for healthy living. That, in its simplest form, is someone standing up for something.

Think about how news goes viral, how a YouTube video can gain 2 million likes in a matter of minutes. It is all because someone said or did something that they believed in.  Okay, there are those that just do crazy stuff to get noticed, but you get my meaning?

Standing for something generally revolves around values and principals. Ask yourself if you have values first?  There are many that don’t, or at least think they don’t.

The obvious choices are:

Integrity or “I shall not lie”

It is a hard one, but if you can get this one right, and feel good about standing up for it, then pretty much you can tackle anything in life.

Respect, honour or “Love your mother and father” and “You shall not steal” or “You shall not murder” or … oh gosh, okay, all of them apply here.

Respect for yourself and for others covers a wide array of areas, and if you can live your life like this, without exception, then you have found a great reason to stand up. Respect of others and yourself starts at home, so look back at your upbringing, and how you bring up your kids too.

Knowledge

Most believe that knowledge is power, and they wouldn’t be too far wrong. This doesn’t have to just pertain to educating yourself in terms of studies, but just getting to know a person, getting to know yourself, and trying to understand everything around you. Never accepting things at face value can definitely help you out in life.

Dependability

Another toughie, but the saying, “A friend in need, is a friend in deed” does have some deep meaning. To most, that is the most confusing statement ever. I mean, why is someone that is needy a good friend? Shouldn’t it be the other way round? A friend who helps a friend in need is the friend in deed? Perhaps, but for someone to ask for help is indeed a way to see that they are a friend. Contrary to most, it is a hard thing to do to ask for help. I digress though. To be a dependable person, someone that everyone can rely on, is a great reason to stand up for too. 

Standing up for a belief does not require a crowd. In fact, it needs to start with you and end with you. Do not ask around if there are any other takers. Do not expect others to agree with what you believe in.

If you claim that you will not do business with anyone that wears pink, then you have to stick to it, and carry it through. Many will frown on your decision, but if you vehemently swear it is the only way to do business, then be prepared to be the only one that agrees. A silly example, but you get what I mean? Some ideals are just that – silly, out there, and down right ridiculous, but if you believe in it, then that is all that matters.

But, beware! Whatever you decide to stand up for stays with you for life. You cannot step back one day and decide that being an honest person isn’t working for you, and then declare the opposite to the world. I mean, who would do that anyway. (Bill Clinton comes to mind …)

Declaring your beliefs is a brave and proud moment, so be sure you are sure.