Actions vs Words
Back in 1990, I ran for State Senate. Of course I was running to win, but as it turned out, I did not. I initially felt somewhat dejected, but this “defeat” set me on a path that has led to a great deal of happiness. I think it’s important to learn from life’s challenges, and after much thought, I’ve come to the conclusion I was not elected because of words.
As in many campaigns, I too had advisors who kept telling me what I should say and even tried to tell me what to think and believe. I was constantly told that if I made certain statements on a particular issues, I would gain a large demographic of electors. “Say these words and you’ll get this segment of voters supporting you and you’ll get elected!!” But I didn’t believe in the words. And, I knew that I would never put those words into action. So, I spoke what I believed in my heart and didn’t say the words that others said would get me elected.
During this political season, we will hear a lot of words from politicians; words they speak about themselves and about their positions on various topics as well as words they speak about their opponents. I’m afraid that oftentimes, we only take-in the words they speak, often carefully crafted by people who have expertise in writing words and developing sound bites.
What they are attempting to do is to get us to believe that their words represents WHO they are WHAT they really stand for. Too often, it’s easy to hear the words and let those words mingle with similar words we have in our mind and ultimately we buy into their messages. But, in making a decision by only listening to their words, we miss something important - their actions.
Over the years, I’ve heard, “Actions speak louder than words” and “What you do speaks so loud, I can’t hear what you are saying.”
During this political season, we will all be wooed by words. No doubt, these well crafted words will resonate - as they are designed to do. The challenge I am setting for myself is to do my homework and find out WHO the office seekers really are and WHAT they have accomplished and supported in the past.
In this, I am reminded of Matthew 7:15–20: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
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As an aside, I will not use my blog for political purposes and I will delete any comments condemning or supporting any candidates. I have friends of all political persuasions and I love and respect them all. Because politics can be so highly divisive, I prefer to put aside differences and focus on those things that bind us together.
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