Image by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay
“The best index to a person’s character is how he treats people who can’t do him any good, and how he treats people who can’t fight back.” ― Abigail Van Buren
Have you ever been in a restaurant and watched someone treats a waiter or waitress with disrespect? Have you seen someone taunt a homeless person?
I have learned that the adage ‘actions speak louder than words’ is true. I’ve learned that people say a lot of things. They say them to make themselves feel better about themselves. Then you watch them act and in some cases it is exactly opposite. This is wisdom. It will help you negotiate who your friends are, who you do business with, and protect you from the people who lie to you and themselves all the time.
Wondering if you should go out with that guy or gal? Wondering if you should be friends with this person or that person? Watch them. Listen to them. If they walk their talk consistently, you’ve probably made a good choice. If not—run!
Let’s say you like a guy or gal. You set a date with them to go out. At the last minute, they bail. Then you set another date with them to go out and they do it again. This is probably someone you should avoid going forward. You can be friends or acquaintances, but they have shown you they don’t care about your time or you. Cross them off your list.
Let’s say your “friend” starts talking about another one of your friends behind their back. Again, another character issue. If they talk about your friends behind their back, what do they talk about behind your back? Cross them off your list.
Let’s say your friend commits to helping you out on one of your projects. They commit to doing something that is crucial to your project’s completion. They drop the ball and avoid you for weeks. Cross them off your list.
Actions speak louder than words. You want to know someone? Stop listening to what they say and begin watching what they do. You’ll soon learn who your true friends are.
Have a great Wednesday everyone!
Until next time…
Dave
