THE WORLD IS CHANGED BY YOUR EXAMPLE, NOT BY YOUR OPINION. (PAULO COELHO)
I used this quote the other day and thought I'd elaborate. My faith tradition informs me that: "Who ever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then let him change it with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith." Basically, actions speak louder than words. That “show and tell” is more effective than “know and tell.” And that “well done” is better than “well said.”
A friend asked a question on his post, "If you came home and saw your son making out with someone who was not his gf what would you do?" Ofcourse in the society in which we live, the very 1st comment was "Not a damn thing, he's a grown a$$ man" 😞😕🤦🏽♀️. This is a prime example of
THE POWER OF A GOOD EXAMPLE.
This young person needs to see what respect, honor and decency looks like, not just what someone says and especially if they are saying one thing and doing another.
Though opinions are important. Though convictions carry a lot of weight. Though what we think and what we say are both important. They rarely rise to the significance of our EXAMPLE. Nor are they generally as influential.
We certainly value what someone may have to say. It’s important to know the opinions of others and for them to know OUR opinion. But when it comes to real influence. When it comes to making an impact on the world—it’s usually done best THROUGH EXAMPLE.
Words don’t cost us very much. I've learned from others, words are often cheap. Words don’t require much sacrifice on our part. BUT ACTIONS DO. What we DO is almost always more significant than WHAT WE SAY. For example:
I can talk all day long about how I’m going to begin a vigorous exercise program. How I’m going to exercise this much for this long every week. I may have an elaborate program planned out which includes all the exercises I intend to do each session. This is not a bad thing. Plans are important. So are goals. But, A goal without a plan is just a wish.
What is far more valuable and far more influential is actually DOING the exercise program. Our EXAMPLE of being devoted to regular exercise is apt to influence much more than our merely TALKING about it.
What has the MOST influence on others AND US. What makes the most IMPACT on others AND US. What has great potential to make a REAL DIFFERENCE is not what we SAY—it’s what we DO. It’s ACTION that tends to make the most impact and make the most difference.
Opinions have their place. So do goals. So do dreams. So do plans. But they don’t have much power if they remain dormant. We must put our THOUGHTS into ACTION. We must LIVE OUT our OPINIONS by our actions and by our behavior because
The world is changed by your EXAMPLE, not by your opinion.
Light ☀️ Love 🤟🏽 and Harmony ☯️