“Protest Yourself”

I work in a pretty public place. Most of the time that just means I get to see tons of people on a day-to-day basis and deal with more traffic than I would like. Today, however, it means that I get to deal with a protest. That’s right, a rather large group of individuals have decided to use the area surrounding my job to protest a situation far removed from us in our city.

Now, I am not one to oppose freedom of speech nor do I feel their protest is invalid. I do feel that a great deal of our energy is spent protesting injustices or mistreatment against us. The blame, regardless of validity, is always on someone else.

I propose a different protest. This might sound slightly elementary, but when I break down the word ‘protest’ to my own definition I think of the following:

“pro” – to be for or in support of something

“test” – a challenge; a way to assess one’s ability

Instead of focusing our time protesting our surroundings (which in all honesty is probably a futile effort at best), what if all of us starting protesting ourselves?  What if every day we looked in the mirror and challenged ourselves to be better? What if you told yourself that you will no longer tolerate self-abuse? Why don’t you protest the processed foods that slow you down and contribute to inevitable heart disease, diabetes, etc? When are you going to get off the couch and protest the lethargic and lazy individual you may have become? When are you going to stop swiping that credit card out of protest for the way you have mismanaged your finances? When are you going to take the time to mend old bridges burned, or call a friend you have neglected.

I do not think you should beat yourself up (or loot a CVS) over the way you have treated yourself. I’m simply saying you should take a moment to reevaluate your approach to life. If you feel you’re on the right path – kudos to you. Odds are that there is something you could improve about yourself. Protest your complacency with life. Test yourself and assess where you stand.  Be better.  Be more.

Until next time,

D