Standing Costs Something
I am starting today’s blog reflecting on the phrase: standing costs something.
What comes to mind are a bunch of images. Being on the train and not being able to find a seat. When we have to physically stand, it takes our energy. Standing builds strength.
I think about encouraging and often referenced quotes from historical figures about standing, being fearless, using your voice, etc.
“A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” - Malcolm X
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
It often takes real situations to expose where you stand and where people stand with you, or not. We then process these revelations about our relationships sometimes as shocking betrayal or not so much a surprise. Either way, the revelation is something that changes the connection in the relationship.
A big example of this are recent results of the 2024 United States presidential election. I believe people are navigating how to move forward in their personal and professional lives. But I think there is a question in the back of some people’s minds that they are wondering where do the people in my life stand on this issue?
What about people who stand silently? They know what they believe and stand for, but are not ready to use their voice? Standing up and using your voice is an act of courage. It’s unpopular and sometimes easier to fade in the background and go with the flow. The idea that standing up for something—whether it's a belief, principle, or cause—often comes with a price. This could mean personal sacrifice, conflict, or facing opposition when you make this known to others.
Standing for something (deeply held belief or value, a cause, etc.) often demands courage and resilience. The "cost" could manifest in various ways including but not limited to:
Relationships: You may lose friends, family ties, or professional connections if your stance challenges their views or interests.
Opportunities: Taking a firm position could close doors—whether in careers, partnerships, or social circles—when others see your stance as controversial or oppositional.
Emotional Strain: Facing criticism, rejection, or isolation can be emotionally taxing, requiring you to develop inner strength to persist.
Material Costs: Sometimes, standing for something may involve financial risks, like supporting a cause, leaving a secure job, or pursuing a different path.
Physical and Psychological Risk: In extreme cases, people face physical harm and/or psychological harm or danger for standing by their beliefs, especially in oppressive or hostile environments.
However, there's also immense value in taking a stand. It gives life meaning, fosters self-respect, and inspires others. It’s about choosing integrity over convenience and aligning actions with values. While it’s not always easy to stand, even if it means you are on that island solo, the rewards can be profound.
When standing costs something and you align with what you know to be correct, you stand in integrity. You don’t stand with self-betrayal. You don’t stand with people-pleasing. And you demonstrate that you cannot be swayed or influenced, “just because.”
What does the cost of standing for something mean to you personally?
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