In the movie, Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone, there's a great line. It comes at the end of the movie, when they are deciding who wins the House Cup. Dumbledore, the head wizard, awards 10 points to a little boy named Neville Longbottom, stating: "It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but it takes a great deal more to stand up to your friends." Surely at some time or other we may all cross paths with individuals determined to undermine anyone and everyone, at all costs. Individuals we just might perceive as "friends." Will we be swayed? Better still, should we be swayed? I think not. Keeping one's head clear and maintaining ones own business should take precedence over any petty quarrel not of our own making. Having faith in one's own self to do the right thing - always - should be uppermost in all of our minds. Honesty, integrity, good business practices - without those we are truly nothing. Remember the school yard bully? The person with the sweet smile who, when the teacher's back was turned, snarled and snapped making demands that others scurried to carry out? Were these demands honored out of admiration or a lurking fear of the demander? Should anyone have that much power over us? I think not. Avoid getting entangled in the problems of others. I mean the truly petty stuff turned inside out and twisted all out of proportion. We know there are always two sides to every issue, and not always do both parties have the means or platform to air their grievances. If we aren't allowed to hear both sides to any argument, how do we really know what the truth is? Remember, it does take a great deal of courage to stand up to your friends, but it also takes a great deal of courage to stand up for ourselves. Don't be sucked in by bullies with sweet smiles, listen with your heart and act with integrity. |
