Words to walk by.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. --John F. Kennedy

I had to post this quote that I found reading another site. Everyone has heard this phrase or the like there of at least once in their lives. This philosophy resonates throughout life. I used to hear my parents say "Show me, don't tell me." Others might say "Actions speak louder than words." In religious circles I've heard, "Walk the talk." It's a lesson we strive to live out before our children because to simply say it and not live it would negate it. Some people seem to be able to do this almost naturally. I seem to need constant self-evaluation. It's almost the type of thing you don't really know success in until you look back on your life and realize you did okay.

As an adult there are times when follow through is still really hard to do. Sure it's easy to follow through on small committments here and there, but to follow through on long term goals, deeply held convictions or long held dreams well, wow, that's the sticking point, isn't it? JFK is stressing character and gratitude in his version of this lesson. To live out gratitude, and appreciation is no less hard than these other things. How do you live gratitude? How does one live appreciation? I know people who live gratitude, but while I can live optimistically and can't seem to put my finger on how they live gratuitously. Honesty is easier lived for some than others while humility is strangely illusive since just as you trust to grab it pride sweeps it a tad farther away.

It certainly boils down to a need for a well built character rich in discipline, evaluation, and adjustment to keep the train on the track. It's a lesson I still need reminding in as I struggle to turn my writing spotlight from myself and shine it on others in my life apart from myself. I guess time on here will tell if I actually begin to live shining the light on others.