Standing up for yourself means standing up for your opinons too.

Standing up for yourself. Its been on my mind a lot lately.
As a kid, I was spontaneous, carefree, and always looking toward the future and the adventures it would bring. I was also very bossy, loud, and for the most part, I really just wanted to make sure that I got my way.
Jr. high arrives and I find out that I'm really not God's gift to the world and that my opinion isn't necessarily right. (I learned this through being proven wrong. A lot. haha) Needless to say, that didn't always sit to well with me. I also learned that there are other people who's opinions are louder, better backed up (even if I disagree), and they are stubborn. Girls especially. Drama has never been something I'm too good at (of course I learned this the hard way), so after a lot of trial and error, I learned to just shut up. Avoid the fight. Its okay to not prove that you're right all of the time.
That strategy worked well for a long time. I learned to bite my tongue, and avoid contention! Win/win right? Time goes on, and I notice that friends take on this same viewpoint as well. Yes, the outspoken people are well, still sharing their thoughts ignorant of the hurt or arrogance that their words can carry, but I always thought that by avoiding a potentially contentious situation, I was avoiding more hurtful words being exchanged. Still win/win. Many times, I believe that this strategy should still be used... unfortunately it doesn't always suffice.
I feel like when someone says something rather outspokenly that carries offense or ignorance, the whole group just stops and stares at each other all seeming to ask "did you just hear what I heard?" or more to the more baffling statements, "did he/she really just say that?" But no one speaks up. No one stops and says "hey, I see where you're coming from, but here's another way to think about it." Or, if they do, its immediately shut down. Or the outspoken then play the martyr. The result: An awkward situation when no one feels like their opinion is valid.
Honestly, I hate that. So much. I just don't believe that there is one right answer to everything, and I hate it when people try to belittle others opinions by way of ignorance and stubbornness in order to show how "right" they are. I just think its wrong. I hate the whole "victim" card that people play when THEY AREN'T A STINKING VICTIM OF ANYTHING! I'm not saying that I've never been guilty of this, and I work on both of these principles. Worst part: because alternate views are never presented, the outspoken continue in their ways time and time again.
The thing is, is that I don't really care if I'm right in those situations. I don't care who has "more followers" in effect. However, I do believe that you should be able to voice your opinion, free from argument and contention. Different opinions should make conversation, not contention. No accusations, no rude words-just conversation.
Sadly, this doesn't usually happen. Maybe someday. Maybe after high school and we all get some good real world experience people will grow up and be able to communicate like adults. More than likely, this will happen with a few. But not all.

To sum it all up, lately I've been making an effort to correct this situation little by little. By that I mean, if someone has a rather extreme opinion, I don't sit and watch everyone stare uncomfortably, rather I've been trying to present an alternate view point and simply just talk about it. Conversation should be about understanding others even if you don't agree. Right?
So For goodness sakes- stand up for what you think! Don't let your belief be torn down time and time again. Stand up in a kind way as to say "hey I hear what you're saying, but there is really more than one side to the story," instead of "hey you idiot- you're wrong and this is why!" ya- that would be a bad idea.
I'm still all for avoiding contention, (and sometimes dropping it is the best option) just now I'm a believer in being a well-round non-contender because I WANT to understand what other people think.

Anyways, I feel like this post is outrageously long, and not totally what I had envisioned it to be, but I'm anxious to post and don't feel like sleeping on it. haha.

P.S. Regardless of what this post may portray, I do rather like it when someone does share my opinion and we can discuss its awesomeness together