It’s easy to get caught up in petty politics between colleagues, friends, family members or a random group of people. It’s easy to stay quiet in an effort to sit on a diplomatic fence, watching the most outspoken battle it out on the ground below. And it’s even easier to nod in agreement with one side or both only to then air your true feelings and views in private – behind backs.But how many times have you then gone home and lost appetite or sleep because your views didn’t get any airtime? How many times have you kicked yourself for not standing up for what you believe to be right? Usually your instincts and troubled mind are good indicators as to which fights you perhaps should have participated in.
Getting off the fence and standing up to loud mouthed people (in some cases, bullies) requires energy and guts. And it can be more anxiety provoking than being a silent bystander. But once it’s over, a great feeling of pride and a boost in confidence follows. A simple “No. I don’t agree with you.” can be momentous and a valuable building block of your future stronger self.
Pick and choose your battles – but battle you must – especially when your morals, values or beliefs are threatened.
© Rabia Bashir 2013
Well said ma sha’a Allah
Thank you
For the sake of your self worth… speak out, with care and consideration BUT never be silently drawn into the common ignorance.
My parents were white working class and racist, unthinkingly, simply following the handed down beliefs, unquestioning, mindless. I know we should honour our parents but there are times when people need to earn esteem.
It is hard to speak out in a crowd and be the one opposing factor but peace of mind demands that you have the courage to do it or be as weak and as guilty as the common mob.
My outspoken views have, I’m sure, lost friendships, but such “friends ” I can do without. My father’s insults to my black girl friend lead to blows and a final severance but I could never tolerate such slurs. So be it…. his loss?
Sitting on the fence grants power by default to the bullies and bigots. Hitler was a nobody who unfurled his tirade of racism to a drowning nation, ignited and fed their fears and twisted belief in God endowed racial superiority and turned the world into a hell on earth.
How?????…….. through all those “me’s ” and “you’s” not speaking out, seeking what they could gain and silently slipping into the bloody stream..
Thank you for taking the time to read my post and commenting. You make some great points, especially about the silence of fence sitters unwittingly handing over power and control to the bullies and bigots.
Very well said,I usually prefer peace than being right,so I try and be selective in the battles I chose.