What We Do and What We Don't

I've been thinking recently about the actions we take and words we use and the lasting, permanent effect it has on others. Those actions become the thoughts and memories and long term impressions that others hold about the actor or the speaker. It seems the correlation between a person's actions and words is the measure of how honest that person is perceived: the closer the relation between the words and deeds, the more honest that person is perceived to be. The opposite is also true, but I wouldn't expect a liar to understand or believe in that correlation. Or, if you understand what I just said, then these words are for you.

The actions that a person takes are not always accompanied by words. Some of the most permanent actions are composed of failures to act (or FTAs) or an aversion to take the responsibility to get something done. The refusal to see a doctor when someone feels sick could lead to the discovery of cancer that now has spread - or the refusal to finalize a divorce that results in the loss of control of one's legacy - or the unwillingness to write a will or a trust with an experienced lawyer that leads to intestacy or family fights over an inheritance. These inactions that are failures to take care one's own health, family or legacy speak much louder than words. These FTAs are lapses in responsibility that will speak for themselves, that will lead to more problems, and that will reflect poorly on the person who failed to act.

People have their own dear reasons for not taking care of what should have been addressed. Those reasons of cheapness, fear of doctors/lawyers, procrastination, or fear of the unknown will not matter for those affected by the actions of the irresponsible. The loss of life, legacy and family and the extreme expense imposed on others by the FTA could often be avoided with proper professional help. When the life-altering decisions are avoided or are handled cheaply, the people who are hurt as a result have a strong impression that their family member failed to act (FTA) when they should have. It's often said "We hurt the ones we love the most." So here's my word of advice: "Don't."

Among these musings of what we do and how it affects people, I posit that it may often be the things that

we don't do, but should do, that have the most permanent and worst effect on others. Conversely, by responsibly doing what we should do for our family and by getting the professional help we need to get it done right, we can have the best and longest lasting effect on others. That's what we call a legacy. Absent the words, it's one's actions, or the lack thereof, that may leave the most lasting impression. Make sure you leave a good one.

*Robert S. Meyring, of Meyring Law Firm offers free 10 minute phone consultations at 678-217-4369. The Meyring Law Firm is located 200 feet east of the railroad crossing on Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta. More information at www.MeyringFirm.com.