Motivation Monday: Letter #2 – Standing Up

This may be your first time visiting my blog for a “Motivation Monday” post. Welcome!  I just got started with a  new series called Love Letters.  Don’t worry, it’s not about me getting all mushy.  It’s a different kind of love letter. They are messages written for my son, including stories and tidbits about life.  I write him notes about topics I feel are important that he comes to learn and understand. If you missed the first letter, read it HERE.  Stay tuned each Monday for more Love Letters!  

And, with that, letter #2…..

My Little Love,

You’re always on the go and I don’t foresee you slowing down anytime soon.  With your boundless energy, I can’t quite keep up with all of these new developments.  The most recent one that has come about is pulling up and standing.  You should see yourself.  You are so brave.  You are so proud.  You fall, but you get back up.  Nothing holds you back from trying….again and again and again.   Right now, you are learning the simplest part of “standing up”…..the physical component.  It requires you to plant your feet on the ground, steady yourself, and maintain balance. You will soon be ready for bigger things, like walking and jumping and running.  Standing up is an important skill to learn.  But, it’s not the physical aspect so much that I want to tell you about.  I want you to learn about “standing up” in a different way.  

Throughout your life, you will encounter instances when you have to make a choice.  Will you stand up or sit back??  

I hope you choose the first over the latter, because you can make a difference, set an example, and impact people in extraordinary ways!  The act of standing up goes a long way.

I hope you stand up any chance you get, not just when the time is right, because sometimes it will be inconvenient.  I hope you stand up even if you’re all alone, because it means you believe in something with your whole heart and aren’t willing to compromise your beliefs or values. I hope you stand up even when it is hard, because it helps build your character and challenges your thinking. 

Here are just a few ways I think you should “stand up”….

You will stumble countless times during the course of your life.  It’s inevitable. It’s human. You can’t avoid mistakes.  We all make them.  When you fall, you will see things from a different perspective. There is a lot to be learned when you’re at the bottom.  Don’t rely on anyone else to come and pick you up. You’ve got to brush yourself off, stand up, and get back on that horse, cowboy!

Find something you are passionate about and put your heart into that!  While it is helpful to donate money, it is more important to dedicate your time.  If you open up your eyes and look around you, there are so many organizations, causes, charities, and programs that need your help, your voice, your resources.  Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer!  So much good can be brought to this world if you are willing to make sacrifices and stand up for a cause.  Vote, fight for your rights (peacefully, of course), and take part in your community.  You have the ability to make a huge impact on those truly in need.   Make a dent in this world, bud!

Every family is unique.  Ours may represent something different than the neighbors next door. There will be times, I promise, that our family embarrasses you or disappoints you or makes you feel like you want a new one.  We will be dysfunctional at times.  We will disagree.  We will share different opinions.  BUT…our family will stand by you in all seasons of life.  These are the people who will stick by your side when everyone else leaves.  Our family may be completely and totally imperfect, but that is the beauty of it all.  There won’t be pretenses.  We won’t tell you what you want to hear, but rather, what you need to hear.  We will do everything out of love and with the best of intentions. Stand up for your family through the good and the bad…..no matter what….because they will always have your best interest at heart.  They will stand up for you when no one else will!

This won’t be an easy path or the popular one either, but it is a necessary road to take.  At some point in your life, you may be bullied and it will hurt you.  People can be very mean and hurtful. Sometimes it is purposeful and others it is not.  Rise above it regardless of the fact.  Remember to always be the person who will stick up for your friends….even those you may not know, but need someone to stand up for them.  Bullies feed on the weak.  They gain power through the voiceless. Whether it is physical bullying or cyber bullying, never give in to it.  Take a stand.

Don’t ever let anyone make you feel inferior, incapable, or take away your self-worth.  When someone does something that insults you, offends you, or attacks your character, don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself.  Always find a way to do so…. diplomatically, tactfully, and with respect.  When you stand up for yourself, you may become an outcast at times.  That is okay.  You may lose a few friends that don’t quite understand you and never open up to try.  That is okay.  People may poke fun, laugh at you, mock you, and do everything in their power to make you feel small.  That is okay.  None of these things matter if you firmly believe in yourself and what you stand for.  Always stay true to yourself and live with integrity.  The rest doesn’t matter.

Stand up and be proud. 

Stand tall, my little superhero.

Love you, 

Mom