You Have To Stand For Something or You'll Fall For Anything

I would rather be part of the solution than part of the problem. I do know people who like to look at life as "the glass is half empty" and it makes conversation very frustrating. Great reflection and pep talk on making a difference.

lol...once a day is more than sufficient.

Kindred, you have so much passion for the things that matter and that is why I read every word you write. On days that I am lacking inspiration, I find it in your words. On the other days, when I am driven by my own passion, I find validation and justification something you've written. When I question my bad attitude over the multitudes of people who are moving through life pointing fingers or with their heads turned to the suffering of others, you are there screaming with me. SSharing this journey with you is such a pleasure.

Oh, bill....From the very beginning of time, probably and sadly, to the end....the existence of ,"If IT doesn't effect ME or MINE, why would I care?".......A reality we don't quite like much, but it does, in fact, serve a purpose.

It spurs the REST of us on, with more intensity and determination. There will always be those who do and those who do not.....positive/negative. The "good news," is that being part of the DO-group....we get to have the true riches, the real happiness and peace....and the confidence of knowing what REALLY matters.......UP+++

Voted up and interesting. Great message Bill. Made me think take the bull by the horns and get on with life. So true everyone has got to pull together. Passing this on.

Life is not about perfections, it is about how to live rightly in imperfect world.

I love that you have such a strong social concious Bill and that you write on things that are close to your heart, thank you I appreciate your opinions, they really stir my social passion & I love that...

For me I do whatever I can, whenever I can even, if it's only a little at times...and I think that's the answer, if everybody does a little we can all do a lot right? Great hub, Voted UUAI & shared...cheers

In reality what you have means nothing who you really are is most important.

Bill, I couldn't agree with you more. Every day I'm surprised, shocked, and disappointed by how many people (even friends) who couldn't care less about the world around us, because they are in their bubble of happiness. They don't want to know about anything bad, or that upsets them. Then there are those who like you say, complain about everything. What's interesting is, these people who complain, are 10 to 1 so self involved in their own little lives, they don't even know about the bigger problems out there. I've found from last year when I started getting involved in trying to help animals in any way that I can, that it takes the focus off me. What I used to be focused on in my life, and wonder why I wasn't like so and so, or have the money like so and so, has disappeared. When you decided to start helping others, the world really looks different. I'm sharing this far and wide because I think it's a huge message that needs to be heard. Thank you for writing it!! :)

Positively inspiring hub, to start acting and stop the blame game. A great hub. Voted up.

This is another inspiring hub, just like all your others, Bill. Thanks for continuing to remind us of the need for action.

Thank you for this. As a leader I served those that could not or would not stand or speak for themselves. But together we were a mighty voice. Food for thought.

It would be so much easier to look the other way and even point a finger when we think something or someone is totally off balance and it is difficult to stand up and state that fact and like you pointed out, we ' gotta stand for something, so i lend my voice on occasion. I am not sure ' they listen but i feel better..Great hub Bill..

I am drawn back to this hub, time and again. We are not privileged, we are duty bound.

Standing for something gives amazing new beginnings and hope to any life.

Right about the middle of this Hub... I was afraid you were going to say that you could no longer write on Hub pages... "They at times make my skin crawl with their rantings, and at times I have wondered how they could possibly believe in the things that they believe in and still consider themselves to be compassionate human beings." Then I got to the

"But," Whew!

It may sound trite but you have written a Hub about how I feel, how I act, what I believe... I felt like you were talking for me. We cannot be here on Earth for our whole lifetime, rich or poor or in between and Do nothing for anyone else. Just working your job, caring for your family, is Not enough. At least, use your computer to hound your legislators, to support causes you believe in, to sign petitions... write Hubs... but it would be much better if additionally ...you actually Did something constructive for someone else... give of your time and your money should you have any... Think of the future.

We have to speak out, stand out, act out BUT most of all we have to Act.

Bill, this was the best yet. Voted up and sharing and if you don't mind I'm going to print it out and hand it to a few people I know ...that you described so well in this Hub.

Growing up in the country was a great joy. Neighbors helped each other, if someone went hunting and got a deer, it was shared. Vegetables from the garden were shared, and women traded their homemade canned goods for the things that they didn't have with other neighbors. My next door neighbor was a lobsterman, and he shared the crabs that he couldn't sell. If we could all just do this, it would sure help.

I must read your mind, because I was thinking along these lines just this afternoon. I reminded myself that "The buck stops here." ie., It begins with me. I must be the change I want to see in the world, as Gandhi said. We, the people, must take the reins of government and behave like a democracy instead of a bunch of automatons who solely react as opposed to exerting our will. And as you so eloquently pointed out, we must work as a team__united.

A wonderful hub, as ever, Bill! It flows exquisitely, and its clarity is stark. You're a brilliant writer, and a truly wonderful human being.

By the way, your mention of amoebas reminded me of when I ran for student body office when I was in high school. One of my most notable posters stated, "Don't be a paramecium. Vote for Reba, the amoeba!" My mug shot was placed in the middle of the blob that represented the amoeba. Thought you might get a giggle from this silliness. :O)

Blessings,

Reba

Absolutely Bill. I look around and see so many of my generation who don't care or are just too busy with the rigors of life to take time to learn what's going on. It's frustrating but I continue to try to tell people and spread the word. I send letters to congressmen, senators, and the president. I try to let my voice be heard as much as possible as my free speech allows. I also try to listen. Listen to other opinions, whether it is backed up by facts or not.

The other side of the coin is, if someone just argues with me to start an argument......and then won't listen to me, then that person to me is not worth me trying to share or listen to. I want honest conversations, not just conjecture and bold faced lies. Great hub as always and very thought provoking. Voting up and sharing!

It is so easy to blame others. That takes a load off our shoulders...pointing at someone else and making them own it. You know, when I taught children as a teacher one thing I told them when I had a parent conference was this.....I can be concerned, your parents can be concerned, but YOU need to OWN this problem. I think that is fundamental...you wrote of parenting in a hub a bit ago...teaching our young to own their issues is fundamental.

Then we do not grow up with an attitude that someone else is to blame for whatever poor choice we make.

And not giving a d*** grieves me to the core. To see that apathy, that lack of compassion, makes me sad but it also makes me angry. It takes a LOT to raise my ire but these two do it.

thank you, Bill Holland, for addressing these so candidly Voted up++++and shared. :)

You've said it all Bill. I will punctuate with a hearty AMEN!

I also get tired of people saying things, but apparently not meaning them. I read an excellent article about a month ago (I'll have to find it), which says that you are what you DO. It doesn't matter if you say you're a good father or a hard worker. What are the RESULTS you are producing? It even went so far as to say that a mere "you're in my thoughts and prayers," is idle talk if you have the means and ability to go and sit, truly listen and try to help the person in need. We can only make a difference in the world if we act in a way so to do. Pointing fingers and wringing hands is as effective as rocking back and forth in a chair and wondering why you get nowhere.

Thanks for another thoughtful article Bill. I'm always inspired when I visit your hubs!! :)

well said indeed, Bill.

When we point a finger...we should remember that other fingers point at us. So, we ought to bring a change within us then then think of what others did.

As Kennedy said...My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

sharing it across!!

Well stated, Bill. I agree becoming a part of the solution is the key and resolution just may be a tough row to hoe. Yet, like the 'Grapes of Wrath' shares, it can be done . . .

Not a time to point fingers for sure. A time to act and act together. "He ain't heavy, he's my brother"....no matter who he is, he is our brother and this is our country. The time to act is now and as always Bill you fire us up to do what is right.

Voted up, useful, and interesting.

Great, well-written Hub ... "The Blame Game" definitely needs to stop because all it creates is a journey going to nowhere - the same circle over and over. Thank you for sharing this message and your heart. Voted up!

Another great hub to make us all give ourselves that great big mental shake that we need from time to time.

I vote up,across and share.

Eddy.

Great writing and message Bill. As you know, I don't have two dimes to rub together, but I have awareness. Empathy has replaced cars, and houses, and "things."

I would not trade it for anything, Mark

Incredible work of writing, Bill. It is time we all looked in the mirror and asked ourselves "Are you satisfied with you? Are you satisfied with the way the country is? Is there anything you can do about it? If so do it!!"

The time is now; we can afford to wait no longer. If we do, we will have crossed our own Rubicon, and have no ability to return. Thank you, sir for leading the way and continue to fight the good fight. We are with you.

Hi Bill,

Yes i agree time is now to make mends and stop blame game, if we believe that there is an end to every evil then society can be a good place to live in and all will be equal. Vote up.

Ownership and accountability: two of my favorite words. We like to throw them around yet still have trouble defining them! You had me at the title, Bill! United we stand!

Haha you're welcome. I had the same frightened laugh when i read it.

Blamers drive me nuts. Whenever I find my thought processes going down that road, I slap myself. Literally. It's quite a sight.

I think the blaming game is really at the root of social apathy. Self-pity makes you the center of your universe, so you deserve whatever good comes to you and everyone else can go **** themselves.

Love,

your favorite #2 (we're milking this joke for all it's worth)! :D

Very good hub Bill. I was reminded that when we are pointing 1 finger--3 are pointing back at our own being.

Yes, lets work to find the solutions; the problems are quite evident.

Sometimes I feel people look down upon me because of my lack of finances. So many who have inherited their wealth or sold their soul for it. And then I catch my raggedy ass self looking down on the man laying on the sidewalk with cardboard for bedclothes. It is a daily battle against my self to get up and stand for something. Thanks for the hub and the poem to remind me to cry.

Bill, the beginning of your article is something that Kevin and I talk about quite often, because we see so many around us who seem to have so much and yet act like it is no big deal. My thoughts on this are that they probably are living from paycheck to paycheck and paying the minimal on their credit cards, possibly amassing a ton of debt. Kind of seems crazy and could never live like this, but so many do this and don't think twice. I agree that we have to stand for something and do something now. We ourselves do our best for ourselves and for those around us. But I will be honest it isn't easy and sometimes we both get frustrated. Have of course voted and shared, too!!

An old Baptist preacher once advised to look at your hand when you point your finger. You'll see that you have one finger pointing at the other fella and three aimed back at you!

Ah the sixties, if only that spirit could exist today. too bad the newer generations are too busy keeping their eyes on their gadgets and sharing photos about bad things and saying "how sad" to actually band together and do something about it. They just don't care. As for ignorance? I saw a yahoo question the other day about "why haven't we walked on the sun yet, we've walked on the moon and mars? why not during the winter when its only like, 30 degrees?" I just wanted to slap this person and their parents and their teachers.... I mean, come on...

It's not too bad over here either, sounds basically the same. Warmer and rainy. No new snow, the rain is turning into a slushy gray mess.

A very serious issue you raised here Sir Bill...

This thought process of not caring for what is around you, is a direct product of the Capitalist- Consumer environment.

The limited circles into which the money flows is the major cause of this long term demise of human psychology... which has drifted away from the basics.. i.e humanity.

We the more common mass... are unable to figure out.. or even catch a glimpse about the atrocious economic activities and pacts which occur between the super rich and the authorities...

this RICH-AUTHORITY conundrum occurs at all levels of society... neighborhoods then streets, cities, states , and country-wise...

Until and unless there will not be a substantial stop to this kind of occurrences ( hoarding, hedging, black marketing, duplication etc.) the money will not be distributed in the census with a balanced rate and the gap and hence the psychology will remain unattended....

Useful article Sir Bill

Across and sharing. These are the words that keep us awake...trying to understand and feeling sad at the same time by some people. But we are encouraging with these articles and this I do know. It is just as you sai one at a time. A drop here and there will make a bucket full. Love these words Bill.

Amen Bill!! Doers are exactly what we need. Instead folks sit around and wait on change. Far too many are doing this, so guess what, no change. It is time my Friend!! Awesome and voted up and shared.

Splendidly done, an honest look at the times today. There are so many problems and too many people either complaining without acting or just not caring enough to even find out about stuff. It blows me away when I mention something to someone about certain current controversies or other things that I think are just "in your face", but they have no clue about its existence. But I guess I understand- i have always worried about the world and knew things, but was just young and lazy and felt like I could never change anything, and then I became a mother, and I took that good long hard look in the mirror. I realized, he is the future, and even if I only impress upon him the importance of change, he could be a leader of tomorrow and bring with him the things I've made him aware of. I want him to know that even if he doesn't think his voice is heard, its important to just keep shouting. We can all learn that lesson from "Horton Hears a Who"... Great morning read Bill. Love your insights. Hoping u are warm in Washington.