In the Torah portion that we read in synagogue this week, Abraham greets three guests who are visiting after his circumcision. It is exceedingly hot, it’s the third and most painful day of recovery after he has circumcised himself (!!), and he is visited by three angels. Abraham is a model for welcoming guests. He quickly goes to work for them, preparing food and drink, washing their feet, anticipating their needs, in spite of his pain and the extreme heat. He doesn’t talk a lot, but he takes action, and it gives him great pleasure to serve the needs of his guests.
There is a Hebrew saying, “Say a little, do a lot” that I have illustrated as today’s AEDM entry. Abraham was the perfect example of this. Many people talk a big talk, but when it comes to follow-through and action steps, they falter. It is essential to take action if we commit to something. Otherwise, we are all talk, which doesn’t amount to much in the long run.
Whenever I want to be accountable to my goals, I say them out loud. Once it’s out there in the open, I feel the need to follow-through with action. I have made a public declaration. Now the work begins. And I don’t want to embarrass myself by not making it happen to the best of my ability.
Last night, I got the cutest phone message from my son in Israel. He took my challenge to heart, and reported his detailed action plan towards achieving his goal of becoming a famous musician. He began with waking up, breakfast, and then writing music, forming a band, finding open mike nights for performing, posting his work on You Tube, recording CDs, ending with dinner and sleep. I loved how he included waking, eating and sleeping in his action plan. Very well thought out for an eighteen year-old! He will take action, and he is no longer all talk. I am proud of my boy.
Can you think of a time when you took action and said very little?
