Live Like You Are Dying~~Like No One Is Looking

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

image from free-extras.com

We have all heard this quote before and I think it is wonderful….for all the beautiful things in life. “Live like it is heaven on earth”….what a glorious concept. And I believe we should let nothing hinder us in our joy and happiness…in our seeing and doing good in the world.

video jornkris

But…..bet you knew there was a “but” coming. I think we have to remember that we are role models whether we want to be or not…..albeit unwilling ones. Someone..somewhere is using us as an example and we want that to be a good example. So, while we live like no one is looking…we need to remember that the world is and make sure what we are doing is a good example.

I remember when one of the Dixie Chicks came under criticism because she said she didn’t want to be a role model and was not one. Truth was…she was in a position of being a role model more than most of us and was one whether she wanted to be or not and many people looked to her for an example.

We as parents know we need to be a role model to our kids but do we ever think about the neighborhood children or just children in the mall or where ever we are that will see us…and see how we act?  We are role models in how to be friends, in how to love, how to live, how to survive, how to stand up for things, in integrity and honesty.

image from anticap.wordpress.com

We are role models when we are doing good, when we are succeeding and more importantly….we are role models when we fall or suffer hardships, too. And how we handle those things tells the world about our character and our inner strength.

I love this….live like you are dying…and do all the things you should have done before it is too late.

video by timmcgrawofficial

So, What Are You Willing To Sell Your Soul For?

As I sat here watching the news, I started thinking about how many people.. children.. elderly… women…fragile people…. are used, abused, abducted, mistreated, scammed, attacked, taken advantage of …..in this world. And my thought was….how many of us stand up for what is right or do we just turn a blind eye for whatever reason. I am ferocious when it comes to defending those I love but what about those I don’t know? Am I willing to make people mad, take the heat, be condemned or talked about ….for what is right?

I watched the X Factor last nite and one of the judges did this “Oh I just can’t make this decision. I can’t do it. I will let the fans do it” all because she did not want to make a tough decision and a young girl was voted off that out sang the competition. So, standing up for what is right can be something as simply as doing what you are supposed to do…like this judge who did not do her job.

So, I have to wonder about humans….how much are we willing to sell our souls for to be liked, to be part of the “in” group, to not have people get mad at us, to not be the bad guy, to feed our need for approval? To avoid controversy in our lives?  To avoid confrontation?

We have situations with people in big cities closing their curtains to the screams of someone being attacked or raped because they don’t want to be involved.  People see child abuse by family or friends or neighbors and won’t report it for fear that the ones doing it will find out they turned them in. Others watch someone being bullied and don’t say anything. Others, like the judge, go along with whatever because they want to be liked. Others see people stealing or scamming and yet say nothing because it is not them being stolen from. Others see a crime in process and turn away. Do we ever wonder why?

So, what makes people not do what is right?  It can’t be people don’t know what is right or wrong for in this day and time most people do.  This question is about as complex as explaining why people keep returning to situations they know are bad because they can’t stand not being involved or part of the scene.

I don’t have the answers but I think a lot has to do with fear.  Fear of what?  Fear of being retaliated against, fear of not being liked or people getting mad, fear of not being in the “in” crowd, etc.  Standing up for what is right is not always easy and yes, in this day and time with the anonymity of the internet, people can and will try to attack a person, but it is the best feeling in the world to know that you stood up for what is right, that you helped someone in trouble, or you stopped others from being mistreated, scammed, taken advantage of, etc.

I think every time we let something pass when we should have stepped up to the plate and done something, part of our soul dies. We are not born bad people. We are not born passive people. We learn what we learn from what we see growing up and around us. And our behavior is handed down to our children and those around us. So, what do we do?

Maybe it is time in this world for more people to start stepping up and doing what is right instead of what is popular. Maybe it is time we valued ourselves a little more and acted like we are something worthy and do the right thing by standing up for what is right. If we don’t stand up for what is right….how can we expect others to stand up for us when we need help?  Maybe it is time we realize that our “self-worth” is not based on a popularity contest, is not based on being involved with a group that has pushed us out…which actually makes some people fight that much harder to get back in the group.  Maybe it is time we show those who look to us the right thing so that they don’t learn how to be passive too.

I heard a singer once say they did not want to be someone’s role model, when told that their behavior affected their fans. Well, hate to tell the person but we all are role models to someone whether we want to be or not. There is nothing we can do about it. All we can do is be the best role model possible and live our lives in such a way that what we do does not bring others down. The world seems to have become a “self” world. Perhaps it is time people stood up and said “no, we will not be quiet. We will not silently allow mistreatment, abuse, attacking, scamming, taking advantage of ….others. We will stand up and do what is right.”