ELOQUENCE IN ACTION

       Coffee shop theorists, cable TV “experts”, politicians, barroom philosophers and chat room world leaders. Many believe that change and growth can come through discourse alone. That sounding off and speaking out actually accomplishes anything. Today, just as yesterday and the day before ad infinitum, impassioned speeches will be made from the bedraggled fellow in Hyde Park speaker’s corner to the United Nations. None of them will be remembered next week, or even tomorrow in most cases. There has always been, and will always be vibrant speakers. Eloquent and moving in the moment, their words perhaps even bridging time, to touch future generations. However, did their words result in or engender action? Consider: If Churchill had not demonstrated resolve along with his eloquence, would Britain have persevered against seemingly insurmountable odds? When FDR spoke on Dec. 8th 1941, he called for action. What would the world look like today if he had failed to follow through? John Kennedy did not suggest that maybe we should go to the moon; he said we would in the next ten years and put into motion the foundation to accomplish it. Mother Teresa did not merely speak about love and service, but demonstrated it by living and prospering in conditions that few reading this can truly comprehend.

      These individuals were dynamic. Yes, they spoke well, but what made them dynamic was making their words real, turning eloquence into action. Even if you and I never reach the levels of power or renown of these dynamic individuals, being dynamic is part and parcel of Living on the Spiritual Basis. Faith without works is dead, sweet words and promises mean nothing, actually becoming destructive, if the appropriate action does not follow. None of us walks the way we talk all of the time, but it is a goal worth shooting for. Strive to be dynamic; one day at a time, a speech demonstrated with ones hands and feet always carries more weight, and lasting permanent value, than words alone.