I read a quote from Paulo Coelho this week. Coelho is a Brazilian author and novelist. His works include “The Alchemist,” a spiritual novel that has become a bestseller.
The quote? “The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.”
That made me stop and think. (I seem to be doing that more as I get older.)
I have opinions. In fact, I have many opinions. You probably do too. I might share them in conversation or especially if someone asks me what I think. Do I think that’s going to change the world or someone else’s opinion? I doubt it. You may convince someone every now and then but I’ve noticed, especially over the last few years, you can present someone with FACTS and they still won’t change their opinion.
However when you try to set a good example….
Several times a week I seem to see posts or videos of people setting a bad example. You see it a lot at youth sports. Occasionally it’s the kids but more often it’s the parents who are setting a bad example. Do you really want to be remembered like that just because you think there was a bad call?
Now how do we set a good example? We can accomplish that in a number of ways.
I’m always reminded of the golden rule. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
We can set a good example by the words we choose. Are they helpful? Kind? Constructive? Supportive? Or do we criticize, curse, be cruel, or make it all about ourselves?
We can set a good example by listening. I’ve written about this a number of times: do we listen to truly understand the other person or are we just waiting for them to stop talking so WE can talk?
We can be optimistic instead of pessimistic. I’m not saying pretend the world is all lollipops and unicorns but why do some people go into a situation thinking, “Oh it’ll never work!” It might, but not if we’re already preparing for failure.
I really don’t think it’s that hard. Be kind and help others.
To be honest, I didn’t always think this way and I still struggle at times. Have I always set a good example? I tried to, but yes there have been times when I’ve used hurtful words or didn’t really listen. There were days when I was so wrapped up in my work or tired from taxiing the kids to all their events that my patience wore thin.
What really helped me was the blessing that I, sometimes, noticed when I failed and then tried to do better or apologized for my actions. Sometimes I got that message from my amazing wife and, thank goodness, I listened. Not always but the times I did it was well worth it.
What kind of example do we set in our daily lives? There seems to be some people now whose attitude is, “You know what? I’m tired of thinking about others. I’m going to do what I want, when I want!”
Maybe think about that quote this week.
“The world is changed by your example, not your opinion.”
What kind of example will you set?
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