Thoughts, Motives and Intentions.

This picture isn't necessarily relevant to the post, but I thought I'd give you something to look at. This was a result of me playing around with my camera.
I guess you could say it's thought provoking. Yes? No? 

Thoughts, motives and intentions. These three words have been playing a game of volleyball in my mind recently. They are the basis of who we are and everything we do. The root of all our actions.

Supposedly, "actions speak louder than words". I have to disagree with this statement. Actions aren't everything. What you hope to achieve from your actions is the part that needs focus. Your intentions. That's what tells you who you are.

If I give you an example. Someone who regularly gives gifts to others on birthdays and other special occasions. On the surface this person appears to be generous, giving and kind hearted. That's what their actions tell you.

However, their thoughts could prove the opposite. What isn't obvious to the eye is maybe this person gives to create a name for themselves or solely for the purpose of giving their recipients an obligation to return the favour. These are the characteristics of a selfish person, brought to light by their intentions. So in this case, the person's actions would've have deceived all those who judge by actions alone.

All actions begin in the mind, before they are performed by the body. You have to think about doing something first before you do it. Your incentives being the thoughts that trigger your actions, they then must be more substantial than the actions themselves.

Due to this realisation, I try not to judge other people's actions before I understand, first and foremost why they behave they way do.

Another example would be someone who attends Church every Sunday and is seen running around doing God's work and contributing towards the church (not just financially). On the surface this person is a good Christian. However, underneath the white cloth, they only attend Church for social status or to be envied. So everyone will know them as that individual that did ABC. In addition they don't do any of this in places where nobody's looking.

Then take another person who doesn't attend Church services but believes. They would go out of their way for anyone expecting nothing in return and worship regularly behind closed doors. Who is the better person?

Actions would say the first because they are physically seen behaving in a certain way, where as intentions would say the second because they are genuinely kind hearted.

My point is that you can behave a certain way but for a reason that doesn't correlate with your actions. To me this makes your actions void, they're meaningless. I'd rather you (not directly) did something for me because you genuinely wanted to, rather than because you expect something back. In that case don't bother. It's waste of time. Anyone agree?

When you really think about it we don't really KNOW anyone. We believe we do from what they've told us or from observation, but what if their mind is saying something else? Now this I threw in there to aggravate your brain cells a little. Just a little.

In a nutshell, "it's the thought that counts".

Disclaimer: I'm not advocating this "Trust no one" lifestyle that many seem to have chosen. It's just food for thought. Use it to evaluate your own character, check your thoughts, motives and intentions.