DO YOU CONFORM?

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself that question?  Are you a chameleon?  Can you change your mind, your beliefs, yourself to fit in any situation?  I believe that there are often times when this is true for all of us, but I also believe that this is the norm with so many in their lives. 

Are you the type of person who can seethe and talk about another with a certain friend, yet when the other person walks by, you can just as easily smile and extend yourself.  I mean really, what would they think?  Is your goal to have everyone like you?  In my book a very unreasonable goal and one that can cause confusion, stress and turmoil.  When we live to please others, we fail to please ourselves, therefore ask yourself does this person truly care about me?  OR just what it is I have to give them.  Do people really know you?  I believe one of the hardest things is to have beliefs and stand by those beliefs even in the toughest times. 

Can you stand up for another if you can't stand up for yourself?  Ever since I can remember I have been a person that has went against the majority.  When I was young, I had differing views than my parents and many times we would butt heads over the issues (yes, I ALWAYS lost and conformed after sulking, grounding and any other punishment I had pushed myself into), but my beliefs never changed.  Once I became an adult I became even more "stubborn" in my beliefs and my stance against allowing others to push me.  However, this eventually would backfire and I would suffer repercussions.  With maturity, I found that standing my ground and opening my mind to the fact there ARE other viewpoints I found that my passion for things intensified and a lot of the times my beliefs were strengthened.  As long as my intentions are good, my beliefs are fueled with positive thoughts, I will stand for what I believe is right.

I do not believe in remaining quiet all the time, especially if inside anger brews.  Even if the situation doesn't change, how will people know what you stand for, if you continue to be their doormat, because you are afraid of the consequences.  I get it, not everyone is equipped for a fight (me I enjoy a good debate), but we are all equipped to know when something/someone is providing more stress than good.  This is a great time to re-evaluate and shift the source somewhere else in our life, either to the side for awhile constantly monitoring your feelings or moving it away completely. 

While standing my ground and continually looking for different view points that I truly relate too, I know that the struggle within will always be resolved (within) if I stay true to me.  I choose to surround myself with loving people who challenge me, in the truest and most positive form for me.