I am tied down this week with the first week of school at the University. As such, I opted to pull another column from the greatest hits file. This is another column I wrote about my late grandmother Jacquita Lewter. This column last published in the June 30, 2023 edition of the News-Record.
Last week, I told you about my grandmother’s directness. She told it like it was. But she did so with such an eloquence that, oftentimes, you did not realize she was actually getting onto you.
Then there were the times that you knew, without a doubt, she was intent on setting you straight.
My wife and I are raising four kids. All of them are now teenagers. There is never a dull moment in our house.
We are constantly complimented on their behavior -— in public. That is a point of pride, but their behavior at home, sometimes, is a different issue. As well-behaved as they are, they unnerve each other from time to time. That’s what kids do.
Once, one of our twins was roughhousing with her little sister. Someone landed on the other’s back. The one who was landed upon started crying. I intervened and tried to assess the situation.
“Why did you hurt your sister?” I asked.
“I didn’t mean to,” she replied.
“Well, it hurts just as much as if you had meant to,” I answered.
As soon as I did, I realized what I had done. I had brought back to life one of those famous lines Granny would say.
Back then, a situation would be similar. She’d be keeping my brother and me. We’d be fighting and someone would get (not too) hurt. The ensuing conversation would usually end with her telling someone, “Well, it hurts just as much as if you had meant to.” This sometimes sounded like a cold reply, but she was correct.
Intentions are good, but (in the end) they don’t really matter. Actions matter. Results matter. Intentions only matter if they lead to positive action and, in turn, results.
You can intend to do something or plan on doing something; but without action, those intentions are useless.
Likewise, unintended consequences result (most times) from a lack of proper action on the front side.
Actions must be planned and calculated. Bestselling author Dave Ramsey often says, “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” Plans require actions -— not empty intentions.
Yes, you can do whatever you put your mind to -— but the key word, with that sentiment, is “do.”
Results require actions. Calculated actions reduce unintended consequences.
This is what Granny meant when she said, “It hurts just as much as if you had meant to.”
Had we not been fighting, nobody would have been hurt. That is the lesson we are passing down to our children.
Another great author, Andy Andrews, asserts there are two words that can save humanity: “Do something!” It may sound simple, but it is true. Do something -— don’t just intend to do something.
Years ago, Kris Kristofferson landed a helicopter on Johnny Cash’s front yard to get his attention and pitch him a song. He had not been able to reach him otherwise. A year later, “Sunday Morning Coming Down” was named Song of the Year.
Bob Schieffer showed up unannounced at CBS headquarters and interviewed for a job that wasn’t posted. More than 50 years later, he is one of only a few reporters to have covered all five major news beats in Washington, D.C.
Joseph Chamberlain was the commander of the Maine Volunteers at the Battle of Gettysburg. His unit was surrounded and out of ammunition. He told them to affix the bayonets and charge passionately. The Rebels assumed they were armed and leading the way for reinforcements. The South retreated, the Union regained the upper hand and won the battle that turned the tide of the Civil War.
The point is: intentions don’t matter. Actions matter.
You can have the best intentions, but they are useless without action.
At least, that’s what Granny would say.