“We are trying to show him not only what we are fighting against, but what we are fighting for. So many of these boys have only a very hazy idea of the real issues of the war. About all they see is ‘going back to the good old days.’ This is a dangerous state. If they don’t stand for something, they will fall for anything.”
– Gordon A. Eadie (1945)

Anger and fear go hand in hand. For many people, anger masks fear, because it feels more empowered. For others, anger is something to be afraid of. Either reaction ultimately takes us out of our power. Anger is a call to action. The trick is in figuring out what action we are being called to. If the anger is masking a fear, it is vital, if we are to move forward, that we identify the fear.

Fears survive in the darkness – if we can put a name to them, they frequently dissipate, because fear is an illusion. Specifically, fear is the illusion of the absence of the Divine. I’m not talking about caution, healthy respect, or awe; none of those are fear.

Fear, it has been said, is ten miles high and ten miles wide, but is paper thin. But we can only know this by walking through the fear. And fear is such a strong, visceral emotion, that it’s really easy for us to manifest what we fear the most – that which you focus on, you feed, because energy follows focus. Once we identify the fear, we can use the oomph of the anger to power us through the paper wall.

If we truly want to be powerful, we must be clear within ourselves about our motivations and intentions. If I focus on being against something, I am still focusing on that thing and, therefore, feeding it energy. When I stand for something, I focus on the thing I am for, and I feed my energy to that.

Terrorism is a great example of this. Terrorism seeks a response; that is its purpose. By reacting to terrorism, I give it power. If I continue to live my life without fear, on the other hand, I maintain my own power.

So, I ask you, what do you stand for? What are you in favor of, with a passion that causes you to do something about it? What would you march for, fight for, rally for, sing for, raise money for?

I am for empowerment. I am for equity. I am for peace, for love, and for the environment. I am for freedom of expression, freedom of self, freedom of love, freedom of partnership, freedom of religion and spiritual belief, and freedom of pocketbook. I am for health and healing, wherever it is needed. I am for community, for making my community feel supported and nurtured, and for open communication without judgment within my community. I am for abundance, with the realization that there is enough for everyone.

What are you for?

Stand for something.

This post is part of a new series called Monday Message, based on that day’s reflection from 365 Days to Enlightenment (authorized versions are currently out of print, working on a new edition). Check back next Monday for another one! You can also sign up for the Daily Message on my mailing list if you’d like to receive a new reflection every day. I also often post them to Instagram and Twitter, if either of those is a medium you enjoy.