Don't Settle!
As a result of an accident laying me up, I had plenty of time to think about the "important" stuff. One of my decisions was not to 'settle' for things anymore. I had gotten into the habit through the ten years I was married and carried some of it over after my divorce. Not seriously, but in what seemed to be smaller issues. If you let the small things go sometimes, you can begin to carry that over into other, more important areas.

I want to say… Don't accept, or settle for what you know is less than what you truly stand for. That includes jobs, politicians, teachers, friends, lovers, ideas, rules, actions - anything - that doesn't meet the standards you've set for yourself. It doesn't matter how many are opposed to you. Stand up and say "no." ("No" is a very complete sentence!) The worst that could happen is that you might find out you're mistaken. What better way to become able to decide to change something in your life? The best that could happen is that you are right - for yourself - and you get closer to what you really want and need in your life.

So we come to 'taking a stand.' Lord, how many people I have heard prattling on about taking a stand! What they really mean is - "Listen to me! I know what's right. I know how to make your life fulfilling! Take a stand! Take MY stand! Blah, blah, blah. You will be saved, my Child! Got five bucks?"

The thing I say about it is that sometimes you have to check the rules, see how they fit with what your standards are and decide… do you obey blindly, or do you stay true to yourself?

Then of course, there are the poor souls who have no control over their lives... or so they claim. Truth is that they won't take control. Usually because taking control means taking responsibility and being accountable. That would mean that they run the risk of 'not being RIGHT!' - all the time - and being right is more important than actually having a life, than taking a chance on finding satisfaction in what you do. Hell, life's a crap shoot. If you don't participate, someone else always wins and you always lose.

Let's be a little clearer. Would you rather live on your knees or die standing up?