In the age of Twitter and Instagram we give importance to words. It’s all about the 280 characters in a tweet or the caption under the picture and, because of this, we have created a problem without even realizing it. We are captivated by words and blind to actions.
We no longer pay attention to how we are being treated. We listen to the words that are spoken and assume that the actions will correlate. We allow words to make up for poor behavior. Just as any other habit, this will be hard to break away from. Nonetheless, it is a habit that needs to be broken. We can’t mindlessly follow the words our ears hear, but rather we need to be observers of the actions that others commit.
Take these three words for example: I love you. Three little words that at some point had this immense meaning behind it. For some people, it still does and they don’t use it lightly. However, others casually tell a stranger on the street that they love them. Others use it as a weapon, which is why you shouldn’t take these words at face value.
My biological father always said these words to me. Along the years, he forgot to show me he loved me. Something as simple as getting me a glass of water often bothered him. My step-father, however, has always taken care of me. Not once have I heard him complain about doing so.
My stepfather used to pick me up from elementary school. He would make me a snack and then take care of me until my mother came home from work. He bought me my first phone, he taught me to ride a bike and how to drive. My step-father knows the food I like and the ones I don’t. He knows when to intervene and when to leave me alone. He understands me.
For 13 years, I have never once heard him say those three little words and yet no one has ever made me feel so loved.
These are not the only words you should question. When someone makes a promise, hold them to their word. When someone mistreats you, an apology is not a solution until their behavior shows that they are truly sorry. Someone’s true intentions are not reflected in the things they say, but rather in the actions they take. There is no need to disregard their words. Just make sure that their actions line up.
Let’s forget about the 280 characters, the captions and the chats. It’s time to place our actions in the forefront. It’s not enough to tell someone you love them. You have to make sure they feel loved. Don’t use your tongue to apologize for something you already did. You have to take the steps necessary to heal the wound you made. You are a combination of both the words you preach and the actions you take. Therefore, follow the cliché: talk the talk and walk the walk. It’s a cliché for a reason.
