Rise Up and Fight
Lately, these words have been on my mind. What does it mean to "Rise up"? What do I mean by "fight"? Does it mean that a person had been crouched low, downtrodden and unable to get up? Does fighting mean an actual fist fight? Boxing?
What does rise up mean? To me, it means to get up, to rise, to stand tall and start fighting for someone. Not an actual fist fight, but to come along side another, help them out of their place of being low and give them the tools to be strong. To be passionate, be their mouth piece and speak and act on their behalf.
Does Anyone Fight Anymore?
These words might have taken you aback. Hear me when I say, I do not mean fist fight as in actual fighting for fighting sake. I mean, does anyone actually stand up and fight, stand up for, rise up for and speak on someone else's behalf anymore?
Warrior has a few different meanings. "one who is actively engaged in battle". "one who is engaged in a cause, belief or conflict." Being a warrior can take on different looks. It does not always have to mean fist fighting and physically fighting in a war.
It can mean actively standing up for someone weaker than you. Actively speaking on someone's behalf and encouraging that person to rise up. It can mean standing beside someone and pursuing the best situation for that person even if that person is capable of standing up for themselves.
It can also mean doing all of those things when the odds are against one person who has no energy left to fight.
Does anyone do that anymore? I am not talking about social activists and fighting for causes by peacefully protesting. I am talking about one on one-person to person-having someone along side you to help you stand, and then help you rise.
Remember when you would watch old movies with star crossed lovers who could not be together and one of them would say, " I will fight for you!" " I will not rest until I find you!" Or perhaps you were watching a war movie when one person stood out amongst the rest and resolved to fight until the end to protect another?
Let's use lack of workers and job creep in the job world, for example. When an employee is thinking of leaving, and he or she expresses that to management, the words often spoken are, "Well, you have to do what is best for you." " If you have to go find another job, then, you should.'
Say an employee really likes their job and the people he or she is around. Sadly, though, job creep becomes too overwhelming and the employee becomes exasperated and exhausted. This employee does his or her due diligence and has discussions with his or her supervisor, but nothing happens. No change. The employee is not given any good answers to resolve the problems.
All the employee hears is, "Well, just keep doing what you are doing, and be patient." " If you need to find another job, then we understand".
What would you think? Would you think that you are unwanted at this place and that you are being pushed out? Or would you think that even the supervisors do not have any control and cannot "fight" for you? What would you think and do?
Where are the warriors who will stand up for you?
Where are the ones who will say, "you know, I hear you. I understand, and I will fight for you." "We want you here and value you enough to fight".
Please hear me when I say these words. I am not dismissing all the encouragement that is given. The words, "if you have to go find another job, I understand that" is encouraging and supportive. Those words can give an employee the support they need to feel freedom to leave without thinking about repercussions by speaking up.
I am wondering, though, where is the "fight"? Is it no longer "acceptable" to stand up for someone and fight to keep them? Saying, "you have to do what you have to do", can be very supportive, but sometimes, there should be a "fight". A fight from someone who says, " you do have to do what you have to do, BUT, if you want to stay, or if you want me to fight for you, I will. I will be passionate about speaking up and taking your circumstance to whoever I need to in order to get some answers for you. At least I can try!."
I say, there is a place to rise up and stand up. To be a fighter and support those you love by seeing them, hearing them, and then fighting for them.
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