Oh, from these moments I mightily shrink
I wasn’t made to stand up for this time
I would much rather follow in line
Than make a decision that’s mine
So strong and powerful is he
With direction I cannot resist
So charismatic and easy to follow
Even though his actions ring hollow
His intention feels off from the start
I know what the spirit tells me to do
Yet my body fails me and falls right in line
With what I’m begin dictated to do
I know I should be standing up for myself
I should be speaking what I know to be true
And claiming the value inherent in me
Instead of myself just giving away
My friends support and encourage me
Saying, Jason, stand up for yourself
But none of it helps me on the field of battle
When I, alone, carry the power of claim
The dance begins and I stand up for myself
More charismatic and manipulative he becomes
I notice myself buckle and beginning to follow
Restraining myself to come back to center
A few pauses, a few deep breaths
My voice quivering and my body shaking
Like George McFly to Biff standing up for himself
Becoming a man with one punch
Instead of backing down like a coward
I make a claim for myself
I know what I know to be true
I can no longer deny what I feel inside
A quite confidence building inside
No matter the words, the flattering web
No matter the angle, the context created
No matter the darts flying at my power to choose
I cannot be swayed, I cannot be tumbled
I may not be the loudest or strongest
But my choice, my will, my center of balance
In my power I firmly remain
With nothing to prove, nothing to gain
No approval to seek, no one to please
No rules or orders to follow
My worth I begin to respect
My value, my pride, I begin to claim
Where I had given it away before
And let myself be trampled by the world
Never standing up for myself
I didn’t know I could value myself
I didn’t know myself I might respect
I couldn’t see the worth infinite within
I could only see the worth others saw
Which wasn’t much most of the time
And why I could never speak for myself
Until by others my worth validated
Would give me permission to speak
But no longer, no more, this stops right here
No matter the power of another
No matter the fear or quivering inside
I stood up for myself
I, a man, became today
When I allowed in myself to trust
No matter who or what opposed me
No matter the consequences I faced
I stood up for myself!
