Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Standing For What You Believe In

    So, "The Sword of Senack" was just released.  If you'd like more info about the kindle fire giveaway, writing/art contest or the book--which is on sale for 99 cents--please visit yesterday's post HERE or the tabs on this page.


    Now, onto the post of the day.
    It was a tough year for me.  We'd recently moved from a small town to the big city.  I had no idea one place could hold so many buildings or people. Instead of tractors, I saw fancy cars. I mean seriously, we just had a Wendy's and a McDonald's where I grew up.  The city seemed amazing to a nine-year-old like me.  But despite that awesomeness, when I went to the first day of school, I found the bathroom and cried before school started.  I know it was a dumb thing to do, but I was scared AND a pansy.  
    After calming down, I told myself to be brave.  I walked from the stall, wearing my brightest--fake--smile, and a winning look.  I would make some friends that day, or die trying. Sure I was a religious minority and a kid that past summer couldn't play with me because we didn't believe the same way. I could still be tough like this girl--just several years older! 
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    Anyway, I walked with a strut, that probably was overdone, and I waved to everyone! Too bad I had no idea what waited in the future.
    We got to choose our seats, so I sat by the obviously popular kids. They just looked at me--and I waved. "I'm Elisa.  I moved here from a small town. Can you believe I got to eat at Taco Bell for the first time yesterday!"
    The main girl scooted to the side of her seat and said, "I can believe it." I bet she hated small towns, tacos AND tractors! I wanted to smooth things over--tell her how I'd already been rock climbing, how I could hike with the best of them and show those kids neat things! But then the teacher began rambling and no one could move. He talked about introductions and names. He made jokes that I politely laughed at--while smiling at the popular kids. It wasn't until he started talking about religion that my jaw dropped.
    "There are people in other states," he said, "that live in a faraway place called the Bible Belt. Those people believe strange things. They aren't Christians in the same sense that we are. I'd like to call them 'Born Again Crickets' because it's witty and they're like noisy bugs."
    Number one, I was raised as a Born Again Christian! Number two, you don't CLAIM to being witty.
    I felt like a gunman stood in the room. I could just invision that gunner saying, "If you believe in Jesus, stand up so I can shoot your brains out."  I'd have to stand or go to Hell.
    My knees knocked together for about two seconds, but time was wasting. God watched me and something had to be done.  At that moment, it wasn't just to save my soul.  It was to stand for what's right.  That man--that teacher--had made fun of me and that would not do. My path felt suddenly clear.  Being the young martyr I was always meant to be, I stood . . . and I DID NOT WAVE to the teacher.
    "Sir," I cleared my throat. "I don't like what you said because I . . . am a Born Again Cricket."
    Everyone gasped.  The kids looked from me to the teacher, then a few of them bust up laughing.  I was an instant hero--and the teacher didn't like me. I knew I'd have to fight for everything in that class. But you know what, the other kids thought I was pretty neat.     
    So, that's the day I realized it's good to stand up for what you believe in. Because being a Martyr isn't always bad. It can even buy you a ticket to Heaven in some countries.

    I was thinking about this because Melynda and I are going to talk at a few school this next month.  I can't tell this story--for obvious reasons--but it did remind me of something I can teach these kids.  When I'm talking about "The Sword of Senack," how to write, the power of believing in themselves etc.  I thought it might also be great to tell them to stand up for what they believe in.  Because really, there's nothing as cool as doing what's right.

23 comments:

  1. You have such great stories. And you're right. Standing up for what you believe in is very important.

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  2. That's exceptionally true. The world would be a far better place if more people stood up for themselves instead of just rolling over and doing what they're told.

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  3. I loved that story & would have loved being in that room that day. Keep on keeping on girl.

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  4. Congrats Elisa. Good timing for me to return to the blogging world, and prepare my Kindle for another great purchase. Enjoy your day.

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  5. I really liked what you had to say. To be so brave at such a tender age was definitely a gift from God. I fall in the cricket category too, and I am very glad I do (particularly when it puts me in such good company as you!).

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  6. I had to stand up and cheer for you! Of course you've been making me laugh and cry for 2 days as I'm reading your book the Golden Sky. I relate to your story on some levels....until I figured out you must be still really young and I'm not....:) But I do feel young.

    Thanks for standing up for what you believed in.....I wish more kids would do that! Grown ups too!

    Oh, I read part of your book to my husband last nite and he said "she had a good head on her shoulders".....that's a huge compliment coming from my sweetie!

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  7. Good for you! You are now my bitch goddess, and when I say bitch, it's a good thing.

    Love,
    Janie

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  8. Yikes! I'm horrified a person like that got into teacher's college in the first place! What kind of screening process did they have????? Good for you!

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  9. Good for you! Although, I'm laughing at the vision of a tiny Veal standing up and putting her foot down...lol.

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  10. You've always been a rebel, a benefit to you.

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  11. haha glad you gave him a piece of your mind. Many teachers like to impose their views on the kids making them feel powerful or some crap like that, you sure didn't let him get away with such a thing.

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  12. This was great! It does feel so good to just be yourself, whatever that may be. It's a freeing thing to live outside the box, actually. I still got along with everyone in school, even though I was considered on the strange side because I was "too honest"--LOL! You don't have to worry about fitting in if they already know you have no desire to and kindly follow your own drummer, I guess.

    I think it is so cool that you are going to go talk to kids together!! That is just so awesome. You two are such great examples for kids to be free and loving spirits. I hope you tell us all about it. :):)

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  13. Dear Elisa, . . . there is such a basic goodness to you that I believe the majority of the people you meet and whose lives you touch will be drawn to your honesty and your spontaneity. Like Rita, you march to the tune of a different drummer and that makes you an extraordinary person. Peace always and ever.

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  14. Great story! I love that you stood up for what you believe and that is certainly a lesson that can be taught to children in a variety of ways. I love that it helped to make you some new friends, too. :)

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  15. If only I had your courage! There have been times when I have wanted to stand up for what I believe in but I was too scared and shy to do it! And in some cases, too polite - standing up has occasionally meant butting into other people's business and as I learned 3 years ago from my roommate, that's not a great idea.

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  16. Great story! It's really important to be true to yourself.

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  17. That is awesome that you stood up and call him out! He had no right to make fun of an entire religion, especially in a public school with impressionable children!

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  18. Way to go! I'm excited to hear how you and Melynda get on at the school! That's awesome!!!

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  19. Kids need to be taught...or just allowed...to stand up for themselves. Good story!

    Splitter

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  20. When I read what the teacher wrote, I gasped and said, "oh heck no!" I'm glad you stood up for yourself and all the "born again crickets!" Good for you! I enjoyed this! I think a lot of people are afraid to stand up for what they believe in, and it's a shame.

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