"Willing To Be Anything Or Nothing"

"Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputation and social standing, never can bring about a reform. Those who are really in earnest must be willing to be anything or nothing in the world's estimation, and publicly and privately, in season and out, avow their sympathy with despised and persecuted ideas and their advocates, and bear the consequences." - Susan B. Anthony, nineteenth-century pioneer for women's suffrage and civil rights

Are you willing to be anything or nothing? Today I can honestly say yes to this question. I have come to realize that I must stand up for what I believe in and do the right thing in all circumstances, not just some.

When I was younger I was extremely cautious. I was filled with fear and it became a serious problem for me. I was afraid to voice my opinion, I was afraid to make suggestions, and I was afraid that I would be "found out" and everyone would realize I didn't know what I was doing in any area of my life. I was always in a state of panic and my anxiety levels went through the roof.

Sometimes we need to hit an emotional bottom to realize that we need to do things differently. That's what happened for me. I say "for me" rather than "to me" because it was a gift in disguise. After hitting a crisis level, I became willing to listen to friends and take their suggestions on how I could live life differently. I began to find out who I was and that, in turn, lead me to learn how to stand up for what I believe to be right.

Nowadays, I am willing to stand up for always doing the next right thing. I may not be a pioneer for civil rights but I have learned to support my friends when they need it most and I have moved out of my comfort zone of being cautious and careful too much of the time. I am grateful.