What do I stand for?

So maybe it was too much weird music in the car. Maybe it was work today. Maybe it has just been a crappy few days. Either way, between fun and Katy Perry, it had me thinking. (Don't judge my music. Its better than 40 cent or Jay Q or NandN.) Anyway, I was thinking, what do I stand for?

Okay, for those of you who don't get it. The lyrics to Some Nights by fun include "What do I stand for? Most nights, I don't know anymore." The lyrics to Roar by Katy Perry include "I stood for nothing, so I fell for everything." Hence, the theme, if you are not up on your current music.

I thought and I thought. What do I stand for?

My family. Sometimes they bug me. Sometimes they annoy me. Sometimes they drive me crazy. But I always love them. My mom used to tell me that she always loved me, but she didn't always like me. I get it now. I always love my family, even if they drive me crazy sometimes. (I also get why I drove my mom to drink, or at least why she said it. She is looking down at me from heaven and laughing at me now. "You fool. You should have more liquor around!")

Beyond that, I wonder. I know when I introduce myself to people, it goes something like this. I am a husband. I am a father. (Hence, I know I stand for family.) I am a friend. I am a soccer player. I am a guy who tries to do the right thing. Somewhere after 8 or 9 things, I may mention I am an attorney. I don't know what that says about me, but I am sure it says something. 

So, what do I stand for? Hmmmm.............Here are 10 things I stand for.

1. I believe in truth, justice and the American Way. I just don't believe we get it. Look, I don't know what justice is always, but sometimes I know it and I don't see it. Sometimes it just isn't there. Maybe I am naive. But I think we should always aim for justice.

2. I will only fight if you hurt my wife, hurt my kids, or if its necessary to protect myself. I will not start a fight. I will not fight you because you question my manhood. My manhood has nothing to do with my ability to kick your ass. My ability to throw a punch hasn't been questioned since 1986. I am not going to do it simply to show you I can do it.

3. A real man will step up and do what is right for his family, even if it is not best for him. I fully believe a man will do something to protect his wife and kids, regardless of the personal consequences. Trust me on this.

4. The punishment should fit the crime, but it usually doesnt. I see it all the time. Two people who do the same thing get two different outcomes. I don't like it, but it is the way things work.

5. Those people in power will do what is best for them to keep their power, even if it means that they have to bend or break the rules. Look, if you enforce the rules, you have the ability to bend and/or break the rules with no consequence. So you do it. Its wrong, but it doesn't matter if you never get called on it.

6. People can be really good, but a lot of people are too self absorbed to do good. I think when we come together as a community, as a country, as a world, we can accomplish a lot of good. But see 5. People in power don't always want to do what is good or right, but rather what keeps their power. If people would spend 5 minutes every day doing something nice for someone else just because, the world would be a better place.

7. My heroes will always be my heroes. Yep, my dad will always be the ideal that I will try to live up to. I will fail, miserably. But I will try. Muhammad Ali, Bear Bryant, Werner Roth, Pele, these men can do no wrong in my eyes. Sure, they may do wrong, but they will always be my heroes. Little boys (and girls) need heroes.

8. I will always protect my daughter more than my sons. Yep, its sexist. Yep, its wrong. Yep, its me. She knows, now at the delicate age of 4, that I will always catch her - even metaphorically. My boys will fall more. I don't know why, but this is my way.

9. I believe everyone gets a chance. Everyone gets a 2nd chance. Some people deserve a third chance. Maybe I am dumb for believing that the best in people will shine through, but I do. I think if we give them a chance, a real chance, they will surprise you.

10.  I will always try. I don't care if its work or play or what. I will not quit. Its not who I am. I could spar for 19 rounds. I have played soccer sick. I have played hurt. I have worked when I was sick or sad. I will always do it. And I will not give up.

So there it is. 10 things I stand for. I hold these things to be true................