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Someone had posted this quotation without attribution on Facebook last week.
Inspiration and information without personal application will never amount to transformation.
The quotation resonated with me in a powerful way so I researched it.
Embarrassingly enough, it was from a book I had already read. I say embarrassingly because not only had I read the book within the past two years but also I had written about it in this post from June 24, 2017.
Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely by Lysa TerKeurst contains many gems of wisdom. In my mind, the Inspiration / Information / Application / Transformation quote has to be one of the most universally applicable pieces of advice ever.
Consider these three scenarios:
You’ve been stuck in a horrible work environment for several years. A friend gives you some great advice about a new job-hunting website. He also gives you a pep talk about your many outstanding characteristics. So you have the information and you’ve been inspired. BUT unless you apply yourself and actually go to the site and do the work of finding new employment, you’ll still be in that life-sucking job this time next year.
You read an article about getting back into shape after the age of ___ (fill in the blank). The article is saturated with easy-to-understand information about the many benefits of exercise at any age. Not only that, but there are links to free online videos to help you perform the movements correctly. “I can do this!” you shout. But neither your body nor your health will be transformed unless you do the work.
You’re interested in deepening your faith and/or spirituality so you sign up for a study group at church. The group is amazingly supportive and the book being used is rich in fascinating information. But life happens. You skip a homework assignment, then you don’t find the time to read the next chapter, and decide to drop out. No application = no transformation.
We watch TED talks, read books, research online, and attend classes and seminars that inspire us and provide the information needed to take whatever step we’re considering taking. But when we just let that information seep out of our brains and allow the inspiration to languish, it’s as if it never even happened.
Lest you think I’m pointing fingers and holding up myself as a sterling example of accomplishment, uh, no. Sorry to disappoint you.
In the past, I’ve stayed too long in a joyless job. I’ve worked my way into shape and lazily watched it slip away several times. I purchased the book Crafting a Rule of Life two years ago and haven’t gotten farther than Chapter 3.
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” (Attributed to various people including Buddha.)
And Richard Bach said, “We teach best what we most need to learn.”
In my case, often I WRITE best what I most need to learn.
So thanks, Lysa TerKeurst, for the words of wisdom. I promise this time I’ll remember them.
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Norma:
I remember well a grade school teacher who admonished we students that “A lesson isn’t learned, until it is applied!” Have always remembered Ruby Owen Buser’s words, and her illustrations which cemented this in my mind. She was also my 3rd grade teacher who instituted our “Morning/Opening Exercises” which were based on a Scripture Verse and a Hymn, which we all participated in. These exercises planted our feet on a solid basis to guide us into facing the coming day’s challenges. Sadly missing component of education today!!! We SURVIVED this daily ritual and no one brought a law suit because of being offended!!! Yes, I do believe that “the good old days” were very beneficial in molding our character!!!