Actions

In recent times I have thought about the words of a song that I have been fond of for decades.  I have mentioned it before, but it is something I remind myself of constantly. “I’m not one who’s got it all in place telling you what you should do, no I’m just one ol’ hungry beggar showing you where I found food.”

What really gets to me about that statement is the point that says I have not got it all in place telling you what you should do and the ending that talks about showing you where I found food.

It is incredible to me how I feel that is so much my motivation.  I do think I have had to learn that having a lot to do with someone who was extremely difficult and had firm but destructive ideas.

As I am fond of saying it is not like I come from a position of a know it all.  I recognize that any good in me is the result of a gift in the first place.  I know I need to develop what I have but I will never pretend that the results are something I should take credit for if credit is due.  I say that because (and having the stroke reinforced it) I know that in an instant things for me could be very different.

I know that I have attempted to change another into what I now see as my image.  Sometimes what is shared is what is best for another, yet I know that until another is ready to receive something I am fighting a losing battle.

I will always be willing to share what I believe but as the song says it does not come from the position of someone superior, but from the position of this has worked for me and a position of love.

I have done it and seen others do it.  That is tell someone what they believe is best for them (and in fact may be best) but love is lost or not seen in the transaction.  Misunderstanding arises.  Often the object of attempted assistance is pushed away and is further than ever from those who are most concerned.

The object was right.  The delivery method was wrong.  I learned how things are better done when in the past trying to assist someone very close to me.  I saw a change when the person was ready to change.  The best I could do was consistently declare in love where I stood.  Not only was it the spoken word it was the accompanying actions that spoke loudest.  Words may be disagreed with, but actions speak.

I say all this as a constant reminder to myself that I am what I am not because of some eternal goodness originating in me, but an eternal goodness originating in another.