Poke The Sleeping Bear

That's right. I have been called a "bear-poker". No, I don't have a death-wish, but it could be argued that I don't leave well-enough alone. Well, that's because whatever it is, isn't really considered "well-enough" in my books. (Apparently I have books.). Nothing bothers me more than injustice. Whether it be through ignorance or an envelope-pushing powertrip by those in a position of privilege and control, when there is an imbalance of power, someone is likely to get the short end of the proverbial stick. I often find myself using that very stick to poke that slumbering giant, who many would rather tip-toe around, as to not disturb him and arouse a potential fury. Bring it. My new business card could read, "Laurie C. Schultz, Bear-Poking, Pot-Stirring, Boat-Rocking, Feather Ruffler". Guilty as charged, I suppose. Sometimes we have to look to the philosophical genius of the great Kenny Rogers. Sometimes we gotta "know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em". I will even go as far as to submit the idea of knowing when to call a potential bluff. Sometimes we need to lay all the cards on the table and let the chips fall where they may. All cliches aside, I believe that one must stand up for him or herself. Sometimes one needs to stand up for someone else, too -because it's the right thing to do, and face whatever consequences arise. You see, people who hold power and privilege get used to doing things a certain way, and many times refuse to relinquish some of that control, even though it may be the right thing to do. That's when his/her hand needs to be forced. Far too often, many of us are so used to getting the short end of the stick, we decide to lay down and just take whatever may be coming. One must remember, however: the path of least resistance is the quickest route to soul-stripping subordination! The bottom line is, we are all responsible for the power dynamics in which we find ourselves. I believe it was Eleanor Roosevelt who said that we teach people how to treat us. She said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent". Oh, how true. Establish boundaries and stick to them. No one really wants to put the welcome mat on their back, but once it is there, you'd be surprised at how many people would show up to that open-house. Don't be a door-mat. Set the wrong precident and you could spend a life-time getting walked on. Don't let me fool you into a false sense of high-horse euphoria. Stepping out in defense of yourself or of another can have dire consequences. One must be prepared for the worst, after all, the right thing to do and the easy thing to do are often two different things. I have forfeited a few things in my life because I could not simultaneously achieve or maintain them AND take the high road, so, sometimes I lost out -but at least I was able to smile at the face that stared back at me from the mirror. It's easy to let that bear sleep. Sometimes, however, you need to be a human alarm clock. A good bear-poke is good for the soul but don't forget to wear your armour. HAVE YOUR SAY: When have you chosen the "right" thing over the "easy" thing. If you haven't done so, what stopped you?