Its Not Only Our Words

Of all the things that my grandmother taught me I think the most important of them was to be aware that it is not only my words that say things to people. In fact, according to her, the words were less than half of the message that could be delivered to a person. My actions, my deeds are what speak the loudest about myself. It is my actions that will let people know I am a woman of my word. It is my actions that will speak the truth of what I really think of them. It is my actions that will reveal the truth about me. Words are easily spoken, and only cost the expenditure of a bit of breath. Its the actions of living that require effort. If the actions and the words do not mesh up, what does that say about me?

My actions can prove me industrious or lazy. They can prove me truly caring or callous. They can name me honest or a liar. They can name me thoughtful or hot tempered. My words can say what "I" want them to say, but it is my actions that will say what is really going on within me.

"Be careful not of what you say, but of what it says about you." Because even the words I choose, and the tone, and the manner I choose to give them says something about me. My grandmother taught me to be observant of the world around me, and to be very observant of the people around me. That gift from her I have to think is one of the most valuable she has ever given me. It has guided me often, and I don't think it will ever cease to guide not only how I behave, but also how I view others. She was a wise woman. I do miss her.