Have you ever found yourself waiting for the ‘right’ time to start something new? Finding a new job, starting that business you’ve always wanted to, having a kid, you name it? If so, you’re definitely not alone! Waiting honestly used to be one of my best fortes. I would plan it all out in my head and wait for the moment that felt like ‘This is it!”
But a lot of times, that moment would never come. And then I’d be sitting there lost and confused thinking back like “Dang, I should’ve started it when x,y,z” or “If I would’ve known that one circumstance would play out like that, I would’ve taken my chance.” But here’s the problem with that kind of thinking – Hindsight is always 20/20.
So instead of waiting for the right time, or the right place, or the right circumstance to play out, I need to take chances, well, whenever I have the chance. And this applies to so many things! Speaking up in uncomfortable times. Making decisions without knowing all the angles and details ahead of time. And too many more to name!
I have this one life to live and I’d rather look back and regret the things I did, not the things I didn’t do. I want to be proud of the choices I made. That doesn’t mean they have to be the boldest, or the brightest, or even the best. It just means I know that I tried. So today I’m pledging to act now. Whether I’m ready, whether I’m able, and whether it’s comfortable or not.
Tough Love
Sometimes it’s hard to speak up when you disagree with someone. Sometimes, it’s easier to settle with “Let’s agree to disagree.” It’s especially hard when that person is someone we love dearly or someone of higher ‘status’ than us. But sometimes simply disagreeing with someone is the most important way to do what’s right.
The right choices are often the most difficult to make. But they’re the ones that shape us and the world around us. Disagreeing with someone is no big deal when it comes to many things. Fashion, diet, religion, which celebrity should be voted what are some examples. I can like what I like and you can like what you like. There’s no reason to argue when it comes to trivial things.
But when it comes to topics like sexual identity/preference, inequality/injustice, and bullying, we need to disagree. We need to see each person as a person. By judging them on their behavior and the content of their character, not by their choices and values. If someone chooses to be transgender, how is that really affecting you? It’s their body, and they should have the right to make the decisions about it. How would you feel if someone tried to make decisions about your body for you?
If you are allowed to make mistakes in life and have the opportunity to learn from them, a person who is different from you should be granted that same right. Whether white or black, young or old, male or female, no matter what. How would you feel if you had less chance at succeeding in life solely because of a circumstance of birth?
If all anyone is trying to do is be themselves, why are some people bullied for it? Why would anyone care about something that someone else is doing that has nothing to do with them? Brains are complex, full of emotions and thoughts and so many other aspects I can’t even grasp. Why would someone want to mess with the way another human being functions by bullying them?
The Time Is And Will Always Be NOW
It’s times like these that we need to act now and speak up, shut down, whatever it is that needs to be done. If I hear someone talking trash on someone else because of their sexual identity, I might start to question parts of their identity. “Is there something you’re trying to cover up by deflecting attention?”
If I hear someone talk about another person in a way that they wouldn’t talk about someone similar to their identity, I might question their ability to think clearly. “So that person seems dangerous/weird/scary/bad/etc. but do you even personally know any dangerous/weird/scary/bad/etc. people that you can compare them to? Personally, as in a personal encounter and not something you’ve seen on the news/online/YouTube/etc.?”
If I come across a person who takes the subject of bullying lightly or as a joke, I might ask them if they’ve ever been bullied themselves? “Do you know how it feels when someone picks out flaws and insecurities about you that you already feel uncomfortable with and tells everyone? How it feels to know that someone else can make you feel like a piece of s*** simply for being yourself?”
Times Are Changing
When it comes to disagreeing, I’ve never personally been a fan. You can vote for whatever candidate you feel is best, and I’ll do the same. No need to convince the other to ‘switch sides’. But when it comes doing the right thing, I’ll always do my best to make that choice, even if it means disagreeing with someone.
What about you? Have you ever found yourself waiting for the right time to do what’s right and found a way to get over that? Share how in the comments below! You never know, you could be the one who creates the next ripple in the pond! Who will it be? And if you’re looking for some small changes that will improve your own life, check out ETM’s blog here.
As always, thank you so very much for being a part of ETM’s community! I encourage you to join discussions, interact with Mommas and others alike, and be unapologetically yourself! Until next time, I hope I’m able to help make your life as simple as could be. (:
With all my love, Brandolyn – Earth To Momma
