Five Birds and Good Intentions 643.4
Five birds are sitting on a telephone wire. Two decide to fly south. How many are left? Most people would say three. Actually, all five are left. You see, deciding to fly isn’t the same as doing it.
|
|
If a bird really wants to go somewhere, it’s got to point itself in the right direction, jump off the wire, flap its wings, and keep flapping until it gets there.
So it is with most things. Good intentions aren’t enough. It’s not what we want, say, or think that makes things happen; it’s what we do.
I frequently think of writing thank-you, birthday, and congratulatory notes. Unfortunately, only a sad few of these good sentiments ever make it to paper. Still, if I don’t look too closely, I can delude myself into thinking that based on my good thoughts I’m a gracious and grateful person. A truer and less admirable picture of my character is drawn by my actions.
In the end, we either do or don’t do. We either make the time to do the things we want to and should do or we make excuses. As Alfred Adler said, “Life happens at the level of events, not of words. Trust movement.”
What do you want to do? Do you want to take a course, change your job, lose weight, make new friends, or spend more time with and appreciate more the ones you have?
What’s stopping you from jumping off the wire and flapping your wings?
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
What do you think of this commentary?
Subscribe
Comments
I make sure to listen to you every morning on my drive to work. I work as a middle school/elementary school band teacher. I had a rough day with my Advance middle school band yesterday about the students' poor attitude and low achievement. I read this message to them today. They looked at me and said we're sorry. The rest of class was a success. Thank you for your daily inspiring words.
Posted by: Deanne Cedar | November 4, 2009 2:16 PM
If people want to go somewhere, something is always blocking their way. For example, if you want to go somewhere fun and it is windy and you ask your parents, their answer will be no. It is not like you have to go, but they care and the wind is the object in your way. Another example is if you are on the freeway and you know it will take you 10 minutes to get to your house. Then there is a car accident and it takes you a long time to get to your home. The object that is in your way is the accident. Many things may cause you not to go where you want to go. So there are objects that may be in your way.
Posted by: Gabriel Benitez | November 4, 2009 5:21 PM
I have been listening to and admiring your commentaries for many years, but this one may be the best yet. As a husband, a father, a university dean, and just a regular human being, I find that it articulates beautifully an important truth, that good intentions don't matter unless they are translated into behavior. There is too much nowadays about the need to spend time "sorting things out" and such. All of that is fine, but it won't get one anywhere unless, after the contemplation and problem-solving, one actually takes action. If nothing else, action tests the utility of our beliefs and intentions, but mostly action moves us forward.
Posted by: Gerald C. Davison | November 4, 2009 9:39 PM
Michael, you are a gentle motivator. But a motivator you definitely are. Your visuals (stories) make a threefold impact of learning.
God bless you for your effort to uplift humankind.
Marie (Ireland)
Posted by: Marie | November 6, 2009 7:12 AM
I was going to say that there were only 2 birds left. The two birds that acted. They survived the winter. The other three who choose not to act did not survive. Frozen in inaction. If we want to go places, we do need to spread our wings to fly.
Posted by: Christina Collins | November 6, 2009 9:02 AM
Tonight I will be speaking to about 200 young men ages 16-18 about preparing themselves for their missions in life. This 5-bird vignette will be a great wrap-up of my Do It Now! presentation. Thank you!
Posted by: Douglas F. Higham | November 6, 2009 9:29 AM
Your commentary is the same one given on 7-1-09--as 625.4. No big deal but did you have a special reason for republishing it?
Posted by: Allan | November 8, 2009 5:08 PM
Allan,
From time to time, commentaries are repeated because of Michael's workload, timeliness of the material, or opportunities to introduce new readers and listeners to favorite oldies. We thank you for your understanding.
Posted by: Josephson Institute editor | November 9, 2009 10:39 AM