“There are two types of people: those that talk the talk and those that walk the walk. People who walk the walk sometimes talk the talk but most times they don’t talk at all, ’cause they walkin’. Now, people who talk the talk, when it comes time for them to walk the walk, you know what they do? They talk people like me into walkin’ for them. “
–Anthony Anderson as Key in the film Hustle & Flow (2005)
This is one of my favorite movie quotes, ever, and I was reminded of it today because in the course of coversation with different colleagues this week the issue of integrity has come up big time. Mainly, why is it that so few people have integrity? It always suprises me how many people talk a great game and can never deliver. Even on a very everyday level when making plans. There are so many people who will plan in advance, pledge complete heartfelt committment, and when the day comes when they are meant to show up, they are nowhere to found. Even more than that, most times they don’t even have the courtesy to call you and let you know. It’s of course normal that things come up, and sometimes the veggie hits the fan, but in my opinion it is worth the little bit of energy it takes to have the courtesy and respect for others time and drop them a line letting them know you will be M.I.A. or won’t be able to deliver on a promise.
This may seem like a small thing to fuss about, but at the end of the day, when you diminish your word, you lessen your power. Yes, our word has the power to create and we can speak things into existence, but when we consistently lie, fib, or fail to honor our word with others (and I mean when it’s habitual) we take the rug right out from underneath ourselves. Plus, other people don’t take you seriously. They can’t because of the last ten times you proved to them that you only talk the talk but don’t do any walking.
Speaking of walking the walk…with regards to optimal raw foodie health for example, there are a lot of people I heard speak at raw food conferences when I was first going raw, but when I paid close attention to how they looked, and their overall health it did not seem match the standard they were preaching to everyone else. So, from then on I put on the mute button when I heard them yapping. I vowed a long time ago when I embarked on this path to avoid taking advice from people who don’t have themselves together concerning whatever cause they are proselytizing. It was the people who were glowing, full of energy, and in excellent physical health that chose to focus my attention and glean advice from. Imagine if we all decided to only take advice from people who were walking the walk themselves, or at the very least, if we all started to hold ourselves to a higher standard and honor our word. The world would definitely be a better place.
Take a very good hard look at yourself in the mirror, and ask: am I walking the walk or talking the talk in all areas of my life? If not, perhaps it’s time for an integrity makeover. I will continue to take my own advice and do the same, whenever I take a break from walking.
– XoXo Raw Girl