Prove It.

Who I say I am has absolutely nothing to do with who I really am. The qualities I think I possess are nothing if I don’t prove, through quick and consistent action, that I actually possess them. My characteristics, passions, thoughts and emotions are useless if I keep them to myself. I may think myself to be kind, compassionate, helpful and a leader, but if no one else does, what good is that?

Please don’t misunderstand—this is not a matter of putting on a forced show to prove to those around me how “good” I am, neither is it about basing my worth off of the opinions other people form of me. Being kind, compassionate, helpful and a leader are not subjective qualities. Even if someone dislikes me personally, if I’ve truly shown myself to be any or all of those, they will have no choice but to admit (however grudgingly) that I am indeed a person worthy of those honors.

For better or for worse, we see ourselves in a different light than in which we are seen. We all know our own thoughts and opinions, but unless they are translated into actions that reflect our introspective views, no one else will.

I have a vivid memory of the first time this realization hit home for me, one I wish would have happened much earlier in my life: I was walking through the school halls about a year ago, during my senior year in high school. A girl I didn’t know had fallen and was lying on the ground clutching her knee, obviously in pain. My heart went out to her and I wanted to go over and make sure she was all right—really, I did—but the late bell had just rung, and she had a few friends surrounding her—so I just sighed sympathetically, consoled myself with the knowledge I would have gone over to her if I could have, and joined the crowd of students flocking past.

As I walked through the crowd, I shook my head at the insensitivity of those around me, scoffing inwardly at how they didn’t even give her a second glance. Then conviction smacked me upside the head: to those around me, I looked exactly like everyone else. Any one of those people could have felt sympathetic towards that girl but, because they didn’t act on it, I didn’t know. Because I didn’t act on it, no one else would know…especially, sadly, the one who needed it most.

Speak up. Act out. Or remain the only one who will have the pleasure of knowing all the wisdom, kindness, passion and love you carry within.

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