We are defined by our actions.
We are all inclined to judge ourselves by our ideals; others, by their acts. ~ Harold Nicolson
We've all known someone who "talks the talk but doesn't walk the walk" and we would all agree that we ultimately judge them on the "walk", not the talk. Further still, I find it quite common that the person themselves is quite oblivious to this fact.
Have you really thought about this? People define you by your actions, not your words.
Someone can say "I love you" all the time but if they never hug or kiss you the words mean nothing.
A parent can tell a child they shouldn't swear but if the parent does so in front of the child then soon enough the child will swear regardless (even if they may not in front of the parent).
A boss can say he values his employees and say a personal thanks to them for all their hard work but if he never gives them a raise or a bonus then he may as well have said nothing.
A person can say they believe in environmental conservation but if you then see them throw their newspaper in the regular rubbish rather than recycling it their words become pointless.
Hence the adage, "talk is cheap". It's very easy to talk about something you believe in, that you want to do, that you think is wrong or that you want to change, but taking action on these things is not only much harder but what gives these words true substance, and in turn gives the person true substance.
A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all. ~ Georges Bernanos
Thinking is extremely important, but without action the thought is essentially wasted. Action is where change, results, inspiration and creation become possible. The talking has its place also. But if it isn't supported by action, or worse, is contradicted by it, then the talking becomes meaningless.
I really love this next quote...
Speech is conveniently located midway between thought and action, where it often substitutes for both. ~ John Andrew Holmes
Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
Although I definitely talk too much and write too much in this blog the very purpose for this blog's existence is action. Read my first post if you haven't already. The greatest epiphany I've had in the past few years is that talking about writing, or about being a writer, didn't make me one; if I write then I am a writer. To create the change I wanted in my life I had to BE the change.
Be the change you want to see in the world. ~ Gandhi
And this change starts with your own personal "world".
If you want to see a healthier world then be a healthier person; BE a daily runner.
If you want to fight corporate greed then keep your money away from their pockets; BE the customer of a small local bank.
If you want the world to a happier place then focus on being happier in your own life; BE a person who creates happiness for themselves and others.
I don't mean to be simplistic. Being any of the above examples is very hard. That's why so many people are bigger on talk than action. Action is SO much harder.
I realise these Motivational Monday posts are focused on people's words but the reason these people are quoted is not so much because of what they said but what they did. You remember someone because they wrote a great book, not beause they talked about writing a great book. Martin Luther King's great speech on freedom and equality is not remembered and quoted solely because of it's content, but because he lived those words in his life. He didn't just talk of change, he was a living example for change.
If we all focused on having great thoughts supported by great actions then we wouldn't need to think about our words; they would just come out great.
Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it -- but sail we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor. ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
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