I like protests. I like voices of dissent. And what I like even more than a protest is the freedom to be able to protest. I think one of the amazing things about America is that we welcome dissenting voices. We even encourage it. If you don’t like what’s going on in America you have the privilege and the right (and even the responsibility) to let your voice be heard. If you disagree with a government “by the people and for the people” you get to speak out against it.
It isn’t like that everywhere. Trust me. I’ve been to countries where voices of dissent against the government are not welcomed or encouraged. I’ve been to places where if you speak out then you no longer get to eat or work or have housing. Your livelihood is taken away. And sometimes your life itself. Imagine speaking out against the authorities in places like Iraq or North Korea. How well is that dissent against authority received? In fact, in most nations disagreement and dissent against authority are at best discouraged and often even illegal.
Voicing our disagreement with our government is an amazing part of our nation. With that freedom comes the responsibility to speak for people who don’t have a voice; which is something Americans have always been very good at. Americans take their freedom of speech very seriously. In fact, we love it so much sometimes we try to offer our freedom to people who don’t even want it.
Another responsibility of people who have the freedom to speak is the responsibility to go beyond simply talking. It’s the responsibility to act. If we have the freedom to act then we also have the responsibility to do so. In fact, actions are how we earn the right to speak.
For example, if I continually lecture you about how to help the homeless person on the street but I never take the time to personally take him food and a blanket, then I have no right to tell you about how to help him. If I am unwilling to do what I am able to do, then I have no right to tell others what they should be doing. If I am unwilling to help in the ways I am able to help, then I have no right to tell others how they should be helping.
Talk is cheap. And social media makes it cheaper.
We live in an age where everyone has a voice. With public displays of dissent and through mainstream media and social media almost anyone can be heard by hundreds, thousands, or even sometimes millions of people.
So how can you differentiate yourself from the crowd of voices around you?
One way is to be a person of action while everyone else around you is talking.
People often substitute volume for substance. But true substance quietly speaks volumes.
Most people say they want to make a difference in the world. But if more people would actually love others enough to inconvenience themselves to help, then the world would already be a much better place.
Volume rarely makes a quality substitute for substance. But it’s often mistaken for it.
I learned very early that the loudest voices are not always the correct ones. In fact, I’ve found the loudest voices are most often the wrong ones. Don’t be fooled by the noise. Look deeper. Think for yourself.
There is power in noise but there is also strength in silence. Your words mostly whisper but your actions often yell.
For there to be power behind your speech there need to be actions that match up with the words. Doing good is always better than saying good. People care less about what you say and more about what you do.
Actions are the platform from which you can speak and people will be able to hear above the crowd noise.
Change doesn’t happen when people talk. Change happens when someone does. Be that someone.
The homeless man in my example would rather have one person bring him a sandwich than a thousand people protesting hunger.
[Tweet theme=”tweet-box-normal-blue”]Actions are the platform from which you can speak and people will be able to hear above the crowd noise.[/Tweet]
