The past couple of days I have been pondering what to write to you about, especially as we are in full swing of holiday season. As I lay in bed early one morning this week, many things started to cross my mind about what I was grateful for. One thing in particular was standing out, which I thought was a little odd yet kinda cool to ponder.
Earlier in the week I had been in a discussion with someone who asked me why I was being defiant in regards to a small matter that was actually just a moment of distraction and forgetfulness for me. I let what was said become personal and I took offense, even though I knew the truth of what had actually happened. So, the word defiant has run through my head the whole week and some interesting thoughts along with it.
The definition of defiance is: putting in opposition, or provoking to combat; a challenge; a provocation; a refusal to obey something or someone; the act of defying someone or something; contrary to.
So, this holiday season, I am grateful for defiance or civil disobedience and those people who had the courage to use it in order to create positive change. Now, I am not talking about those who use defiance as a way of ignorance or in harming others but those who want to create real heartfelt change for themselves and others. We all know or have read and studied about people who are defiant in order to create change. These are the people who cause a disturbance, make history and many may even be our heroes or people we look up too.
Let’s see if we can come up with a few. Henry David Thoreau, Rosa Parks, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Aung San Suu Kyi, Mandela, the Wright brothers, Henry Ford, Mother Theresa, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Jesus, the picture of man who stood in front of a tank, a person in our family, a friend, and the list goes on and on and on. These people had the courage to see that things could be different, if not better, and were willing to take a stand in order to make that change happen, not only for themselves but for others.
Some stood up against governments or ruling bodies while others stood up to people who said it (whatever “it” was) could never be done. So my question to you today is this: where in your life could you use a little defiance or civil disobedience in order to create the changes you’d like to see? Where could you take a stand against old ways of thinking and habits that don’t create positive results? Where can you defy the person or people in your life who tell you it can’t be done or you’ll never be able to make “it” happen? Are you willing to question and be defiant when your mind is giving you nothing but trash talk? Are you willing to go against the grain (whether that grain is yours or someone else’s) and push boundaries, take down walls or defy gravity in order to attain your happiness?
Take note of what it is you want and just how much you want it. This could be better health, a slimmer body, healthier eating, new home, an awesome vacation, better relationships with self and others, moving towards and attaining goals and so on. Explore what you are currently doing, or not doing, and where a little healthy defiance would do you some good. Then, take courage and start moving! As a reminder, if someone tells you you’re being defiant, listen and decide if it’s from your head or your heart and make corrections as necessary. You can and will make a difference when you set your heart and mind into action.
As a sided note, when you look at someone else and think to yourself they are being defiant or find yourself telling them they are being so, do yourself and them a favor and do a little exploring. Find out why! Defy your instinct to judge. Do different. Find out what is behind the behavior or the motive. Give the gift of listening and learning. You might just be amazed at what you find out about another person and their heart and you both will be changed in that moment.
As we continue to move through the holiday season I plan to celebrate those people who were defiant and because they were, made it possible for me to enjoy all the wonderful things I do today. I will also celebrate those many defiant souls who are currently taking stands in positive ways in order to continue to create change and create a better world for us. I will celebrate Christmas with gifts both given and received that I can touch with my hands and also those that touch my heart. I give you the gift of supporting you in your defiance to create positive change in your lives. I celebrate your joy and happiness as well as your possible heartaches as you do so.
Happy Holidays & continue to defy gravity!
Until next time…Go BE Great!
Jennifer Saunders
ACE Certified Personal Trainer,
Reiki Energy Therapy
Buttin Gear, Intuitive Life Coach,
ACE Behavior Change Specialist
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