Believe in Actions, Not Words

Today was very strange. It went quite well to begin with, then drawing to the night, I began to to think more, due to an event that happened with regards to some people I know.

I won't mention any names, so there won't be any trouble, so I'll just tell you what I learned.

Today, I learned to believe in actions and not words. People told me that they were willing to do what it takes, do everything to make a plan succeed and come to life. They rallied around to support, shouting at the top of their lungs that they were rearing to go and they were going to do what they could no matter what.

Today I learned that it's not all true. Actually, I learned this some time ago, I just decided to write about it now because it seemed appropriate.

I learned to pay more attention to those who did things than said things. Anyone can talk--going through with it is another thing. At the time when the tension was highest, the most help was needed, the most support was called for, I found myself with but a small handful of what was supposed to be a big group. The rest claimed absence for many reasons. I'm not saying that those reasons were not justified. They were. It's simply that their reasoning becomes disappointing when you flashback to their promises to do whatever it takes.

The few that stood at my side are the few that are currently helping me keep standing and believing that what I'm doing is right.

Also, I learned that to be a leader, tough decisions must be made. For a long time, I tried to be a leader that was fun, who constantly gave slack in case someone couldn't come through for one reason or the other, who covered up for members who did something wrong and were getting into trouble for it.

Today, I learned that to be a leader, I needed to do what was expected of me: to lead. Even if that means being harsh with words (when normal words won't suffice), or even if that means accepting the fact that some people just won't change and to keep excusing them is not going to help them.

Today, I learned that not all people can share a unique vision. Only a few could stick to it and follow it, and that it was ridiculous to expect so much from so many, when only so few could. And that the real challenge was to grow and bloom in spite of perdition, in difficulty, and to succeed in bursting into flower at such a bleak terrain will leave you and those who manage it with you to become even more beautiful and precious.

Also, today I learned that I'm happy with what I have left after the dust settles.

I'm happy that I learned all this, and I'm happy to find that what I'm left with is a good and solid foundation. No longer rocky ground that had me worried and stressed no end. I'm happy that when I reach out, a hand will grab mine. I'm happy that when I look up, I'm surrounded by people who will smile and DO it, not SAY it. There's a big difference between words and actions, and the people who say them and do them.

So I just wanted to say, that you, my friends, I love you all, and that you make me so happy, that you keep me going every day.

I'm happy that in spite of it being so hard, in spite of our getting sick, tired, busy, we found time, and we found each other. The tree has been shaken and the others have fallen away--but we held on.

That's all that mattered--that we not only say it--that we DID it.

Tomorrow, I'll learn something new again. I hope it's as wonderful as this one.


Love you, guys~!