Actions speak louder than words

inreference to a chat convo earlier today, and re-ignited by a post in the Jedi Church on facebook by member Jon Bradley Williams, i submit Jon's post there in its entirety:

I've been thinking lately... We seem to talk about what it is to be a Jedi, what is right and what is wrong. Why don't we talk about what we are DOING right and what we are DOING wrong. Why don't we all start posting at the end of our day, as a matter of reflection, specific situations in which we we challenged that day, what we did, and how we over came that obstacle or helped another or defended another? I feel that would help us all with insight into ourselves and serve as an excellent self-training exercise. Even if you are uncomfortable sharing the situation, righting in a journal would help immensely with personal growth. Thoughts?

of course none of us have to do that (i personally will probably not choose to add another 'to do' type item to my never ending list), but i think it would be useful to reflect, at the end of the day, what we as jedi have done throughout the day in service to others, especially as this is one of the central tenets of this faith, and has come up many times recently that we cannot change the world. but we can change our own little part, person by person, bit by bit, day by day.
we can think and philosophize all day everyday and not not change ourselves or anyone else one iota. it is only by application of these thoughts, by action, that things change.

so, thoughts?

What a coincidence...I just picked up writing in my journal again...

I wouldn't even know how to do this ...

I am Jedi ; I serve --

-- then I forget about it. It would not "help" me to be a better Jedi to write down all what I may have done for others. It does help sometimes to write down wherein I've screwed-up.

But, all things considered, why should we give a flying damn about what anyone, any group says that it is to be Jedi or doing Jedi things ? This is the type of resolution that comes from within, from that personal connexion to the Force that one perceives only when de-conditioning oneself to the "good" the World approves of and one can move in Life neither condemning nor justifying.

Alexandre Orion wrote: I wouldn't even know how to do this ...
I am Jedi ; I serve --
-- then I forget about it. It would not "help" me to be a better Jedi to write down all what I may have done for others. It does help sometimes to write down wherein I've screwed-up.
But, all things considered, why should we give a flying damn about what anyone, any group says that it is to be Jedi or doing Jedi things ? This is the type of resolution that comes from within, from that personal connexion to the Force that one perceives only when de-conditioning oneself to the "good" the World approves of and one can move in Life neither condemning nor justifying.

You wouldn't know how to reflect on your actions? I don't think that's true alex.

Even ifv you are mother freakin teresa, there is room for improvement. Or this acoording to mother teresa in her memoirs. And let's say another member reads what you wrote and was inspired. Would that make it more worth your while?

On the flying damn part, *I* care because you say you are a jedi, your actions reflect on other jedi. And vice versa.

While it is imperative to learning that you learn from your mistakes, it also rings true that your successes should be learned from as well. If I simply forgot all positive things I did I would always be starting from square zero. That would suck. Just because something was done right, doesn't mean it couldn't have been done better. I keep track of my successes and remember them clearly. Granted not as meticulously as I measure my failures but I always am trying to improve and adapt.

My point is to not dwell on failure or celebrate every success, but rather to make note of each and every one so you can learn from it. There is always something to learn, it just comes down to if you want to or not.

May the Force be with you,
Rai

I can only reflect on what experiences I have made of my actions for me, Des. Yes, that I know how to do. Judging them as good or bad is dangerous though.

Perhaps should someone else other than myself bear witness to my exploits, that could serve as inspiration ...

... were I to, the only conclusion could be : "that arrogant sot !"

'Tis true, sometimes Jedi can be arrogant. It isn't one of our more virtuous traits. :huh:

Judging them as good or bad is dangerous though.

Why?

"Good" and "Bad" are perspective based. As such you should label all the things you do as good or bad. Because they are so based on your own morals and principals. In other words you should be vigilant of any behavior you exhibit that is contrary to your own set of beliefs. Either your actions need to be paid more attention to, or your principals need updating. Mayhaps, positive and negative are better words instead of good and bad. If something affects you negatively, you should attempt to change it so long as you do not negatively impact others in the process.

May the Force be with you,
Rai

So - according to your own perspective - is what you did today good or bad?
How did it make you feel? If nothing, it was probably something you do naturally that required no extra effort - if good, it was probably good - same goes for bad.
Putting effort into a day is a very rewarding thing as well as helping other people. I've argued that I help people daily as I have children, etc. but I don't think it's the same thing. I could be wrong. :dry:

I've been thinking about starting to journal again, too - this was a good motivator for that. Thank you, Des.

Writing in a journal is a wnderfull way to self explore. Sharing your journal may or may not be a good thing. If your intent is to write to share you may write to please others and thus not learn more about yourself for who really wants their deepest most personal thoughts displayd to the public?

Now if you have a close personnal relationship(sl sharing your journal with that person may be very helpfull but that would take a special friend. I think the most value is to solidfy your thoughts in writing and then reflect on them. Wiithout writing them down your thoughts come and go too quickly for in depth reflection. Writting slows thought down so time can be spent on them rather than you thoughts doing.Hit and run and gone forever.