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Clay Nelson, Life Balance: Standing Tall Will Make a Difference
We live in unprecedented times, and while the moods of our fellow countrymen, in many cases, seem to be lighter and more upbeat, there is plenty of questioning and evaluation going on with regards to what we do and do not believe is the best way to move our country forward.
We’re looking at where we stand with Wall Street bailouts and the acceptability or not of the growing, record-breaking national deficit; what “pork” spending is acceptable or is pork-barrel spending ever acceptable, what companies are too big to fail and if we allow them to fail, what consequences can we live with and what do we do if they fail anyway? We’re drawing lines between those who deserve to have their homes saved and those who don’t because they may have acted irresponsibly. We’re evaluating what we believe with regard to human rights, the closing of Guantanamo Bay, and where to hold and try dangerous terrorist combatants (which no one seems to want in their own back yard!) We’re seeking information about stem-cell therapies, their potential to cure disease, and how far we as individuals are willing to bend in our own beliefs to support this ground-breaking work — asking if it were me, my child, my loved one in need of a cure, would I feel differently? We are questioning the “right” way to deal with the immigrants, both legal and illegal.
In a nutshell, not only are we dealing with our own personal issues as we move through this time in history, but we are also taking a deep introspective look at the “standards” we once assumed, what the costs are, how we can make our world better, what we are willing to change in terms of our personal beliefs, and then how do we make a difference in the issues before us?
I suppose we can look at the process as a spring cleaning of sorts. It is time to get rid of the dust and dirt — get to the bottom of what is real, what we believe is “right” and the costs we are willing to live with — and move forward ... make a difference!
What? You don’t think your voice matters? Well, it does. Some of our most powerful civic leaders were born out of a need they realized, a cause or issue with which they knew needed a voice, and they stepped out and made a difference!
We have national holidays that honor people for the changes they helped to make in our world, simply by their standing up for what they believe in. And far too often it seems that we ourselves choose not to stand up for what we believe in because somehow we don’t see ourselves as having the power of those who have gone before us. But think again!
Only when we stand up for what we believe in ... only when we are willing to put what we believe to the test and even be “wrong,” do we and those around us have the opportunity to learn something new!
We aren’t always going to be right — and let’s face it, there are many issues in which there is no right or wrong! Stand tall anyway; you are making people think, whether they will admit it or not, and it is an opportunity for you to learn more, too!
The world economic chaos has created a situation in which more people than ever are re-evaluating what is important to them, and it is out of this type of questioning and realignment that great leaders and movements are born. So, if there is something you want and you don’t have it ... ASK FOR IT ... STAND UP FOR IT ... MAKE A DIFFERENCE ... MAKE PEOPLE THINK ... DO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IS RIGHT ... TAKE ON BEING UNSTOPPABLE! And forget about your critics.
The simple act of standing up and being visible will cause others to criticize. It doesn’t matter what you say, that’s what makes America great! We have the freedom to say what we believe and others have the right to disagree!
In the end, any criticism of a person who stands up for what they believe in is just that … criticism. It doesn’t mean anything, and ultimately your willingness to stand up for what you believe in could make a difference for an entire nation, or it just may make a difference in your own family. But either way, you’ve made a difference, even if no one buys into your conviction, because you taught those around you how to stand up for what they believe in, and that, my friends, is one of the greatest gifts you can give anyone!
— Santa Barbara resident Clay Nelson founded Clay Nelson Life Balance™ to provide businesses and individuals with what may be missing in their lives: purpose, personal and business planning, fun, effective delegation through team management, and accountability. Click here to download Clay’s complimentary e-book, The Balanced Life — How to Put Fun, Family and Financial Freedom into Your Business and Personal Life. Click here to subscribe to the free podcast of The Clay Nelson Life Balance™ Hour.
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