If you have ever seen the movie, The Princess Bride, then you know you've seen one the best cult films of all time. If you haven't seen it, you need to; if you have seen it and you really didn't like it, well...you can leave. It actually didn't do well in theaters and went to video shortly after its release. Our family has watched that movie at least once, if not twice every year. It never gets old. One of my favorite parts is when the hero, "Westley," played by Cary Elwes, remarks to his captors, "We are men of action. Lies do not become us." Great line. Great movie.
But let's face it, we can't all be the hansome prince or noble princess, courageously galloping into battle on a great white horse, fighting tyranny and oppression. And some times, most of the time, it seems anyway, we don't come out on top. We can't win people over with our charm or merits. In fact, most of us are just trying to Friday. And in the process, we going to work, taking care of our families and putting food on the table. We slog through the week so that we can pay the bills and keep the lights on. Not exactly great or noble...is that what you think? Hmmm.
What if I told you that no matter who you are, no matter how boring or "normal" you think your life is, you are just as much of a man (or woman) of action as Westly? Let me give you some examples...
My friend, Kate, is one of the most caring and noble people I know. She happens to be in a stage of life where she is taking care of her parents instead of taking it easy. She's worked hard all of her life, raised three kids and has had some tough times. And now, when she and her husband could be taking trips, enjoying dinners out, they are doing their best to take care of her folks...every day...and she's taking the brunt of it. She doesn't have to; believe me, I saw a lot of abandoned parents during my 10 years working in a nursing home. But that's not Kate's style; she's a woman of action.
One of our students, Ryan, has been working his tail off for the better part of three years trying to get through nursing school. His dream is to work at Children's Hospital. A giant of a man with a big heart, Ryan unexpectedly lost his father last year. He had to put his training on hold for a while so he could help settle his father's affairs and take care of his mom, all while working and going to school. He didn't have to...but that's not his style. Ryan is a man of action.
My dear friend, Lori, drove from Alabama to our house in Ohio every six weeks or so when Terri was going through chemotherapy. She would sit with her, cook meals...took care of us. I've mentioned her before. What I may not have mentioned is that after Terri passed, Lori lovingly took all of Terri's clothes out of the closet and donated them so I wouldn't have to. Lori was Terri's best friend. She was grieving too. She didn't have to do all that; she could have just gone home for a well-deserved rest. She didn't have to, but that's not her style; Lori is a woman of action.
There are plenty of people who have achieved greatness in sports, business, the arts, etc. Lots of famous and infamous men and women, constantly in the public eye; household names. You and me...we'll probably never be on a ceral box. But show me the guy who goes to work in his old pickup truck every day, hoping the factory doesn't close because his wife is about to have baby number three and they have to make it happen. That's greatness. That's action. Show me the young woman trying to get through medical school, wondering how she's going to pay those loans, all because of a promise she made to herself and sombody else. That's greatness, that's action. Show me a long-married couple, kids grown with kids of their own, who now have the time to volunteer through church or some other entity. They don't have to, but that's not their style. That's greatness. That's action.
The keys to greatness are not accomplishments, fame or wealth. The keys to greatness are sacrifice, discipline, faith, compassion and love. Those, my friends, are words of action.
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
"Anybody want a peanut?"
Dave Magliano
Tatsu Dojo
Jissenkan Budo
Dojo Cho