In the End...Actions speak louder than words.

I find such wisdom in enduring clichés. Perhaps a contradiction that I am attempting to inspire thought around this popular and timeless truth, “actions speak louder than words,” in words. Life is funny, we should smile and laugh at it more!

While reflecting on the messages I was presented with in morning rituals, my thoughts drifted to motives. Why and what motives us? Do we think about our motives, how often? Isn’t the relationship between words and our motives fascinating? (I like the word fascinating – so much potential in it!!)

A key component and tool of effective Life Coaching is to identify one’s values. What is motivating us, why?  All our being is either supportive or in conflict with our values.  I suggest we are unable to fake them, for if we try our words and actions will challenge each other, perhaps not immediately…eventually. How well do you know what you value? Not what you want to value, but actually do.

It’s normal to just go through our days, doing what we do without the filter of connecting to our values or considering a motive. (It would be an exhausting practice)  Each interaction and deed reflect a message about what matters to us, or perhaps is expected. If you paused to validate, "I choose this because", or "I am doing such in honor of", would you see a pattern of what you value? Not what you desire shows as your values, but actually is.

Thus, my fascination between the complex relationship of our words and motives.  I am suggesting we can simplify. Our actions speak louder, or in today’s environment, SHOULD speak louder.  One could debate, on any level, we are in word overload telling us what we value (and think and are, etc.) and the act or actions of doing so, often suggest compromised motives.  If we are willing to do a little observation of our own, it’s easy to identify through ACTS motives of love, empathy, kindness, betterment, integrity, hate, self-serving, power, greed, jealousy.  A bit trickier to unpeel when the motivation may be fear, truth, commitment, honor, achievement. See the fascination, it’s a potential ongoing discussion.
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Reimagine how a motive allows us to know what one values. In understanding (not judgement), is it possible to make better decisions and be truer to our own values? In the end, a new cliché…”actions and words speak in harmony.”   

​Happiness is when … What you think , What you say and What you do are in Harmony   ~ Mahatma Gandhi   

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