There are so many things that I can take a stand about from animal abuse (don’t you dare!) to watching where you flip your fins when you’re scuba diving (and don’t hit the Coral on your way down!).  But sometimes, when it comes to taking a stand about what I want to do for my life’s purpose (helping others to find hope and joy AND earning/attracting more than enough to live well) it’s not as easy for me to do.

In Edward Hayes’ book, “Prayer Notes to a Friend” in one of such notes he says, “I agree with the American writer Henry Miller, who said, “The full and joyful acceptance of the worst in oneself may be the only sure way of transforming it.” He goes on to say, “Those are powerful words, they suggest how self-defeating it is to hate those dark aspects of ourselves of which we are ashamed.  Even more destructive are attempts to perform exorcisms on our inner beasts, seeking to drive them away instead of converting them into our personal angels who might then assist us.”

Now, I have to tell you that I’ve thought of changing my inner beast in all kinds of hopeful things but I’ve never quite landed on an image as powerful as converting that inner beast into my own personal angel.  That kind of love almost cracks my heart open.

How does this dove tail into taking a stand you might ask?  Well, because before I/we can take a stand about something or ourselves, it seems as if we have to accept all of who we are first good, bad and the ugly.  Once we’ve accepted ourselves we can take a stand for what we believe in.  At least in so far as that stand has to do with what we believe our life purpose is and what we bring to this banquet called life.  I used to joke that I loved “leading from behind” because I always seem to put myself in situations where I’m the second in command, the Tonto to your Lone Ranger, when it comes to work situations and never quite have the courage to risk getting out in front of the pack and possibly falling flat on my face and landing a few bruises on my chin.    It’s a helluva way to not fully live your life by not taking a stand for who you want to be and how you want to show up for your life.  Seems like there should would be a whole lot less baggage to cart around if we just stepped forward, doesn’t it?  And converting that inner beast into your own personal angel to help you along the way.

How are you either going to take a stand for your life or how have you already done so?  Curious minds definitely want to know!

Taking a Stand for Yourself!