Practice Before You Preach

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Ghandi

Often times we believe that we know all we need to know in order to live in harmony with the people around us. Mahatma Gandhi teaches us that it is okay to make mistakes because from these mistakes, we grow and we learn to live in peace. He believed that an ounce of practice is worth more than preaching, and this is something all of us should live by. I say this because when you actually experience something, (doesn’t matter if you fail or succeed) you will understand the significance of the situation, rather than just preaching about a situation you have never gone through.

We grow as people whenever we make mistakes, or whenever we fall, even if it’s at our lowest. Sometimes people believe that when they hit rock bottom they have failed and that there is no getting back up. Throughout many hardships and struggles one learns that this is nothing but a misconception. In order for an individual to succeed in life or to aspire, he must fall a few times on the way. Without this happening one wouldn’t even understand or know how special his achievements are. This journey is not easy and is not a path all people pursue hastily. It is more of a first-hand experience kind of thing, where you learn from your own personal experience.
Growing up in a country that is described as a ‘melting-pot’ I was often intimidated to put myself out there and show people what I got because I was afraid of looking weak. After putting myself out there and learned things ‘first-hand’ I understood the significance of trying and getting back up on my two feet, even if it meant starting from scratch.
What’s essential to understand is that because I practiced, I learned and with the wisdom I acquired from my practices I know how to take in anything that comes my way. My whole point is to try because without trying you will never know your strengths or weaknesses. Also, if you don’t try, you will not be able to give people advice because you wont know about the certain experience. It is not right to give advice to someone if you haven’t gone through the practice yourself, because then, your words become, well, words. So next time you want to give someone advice, don’t preach about it if you are not familiar with it, instead, put yourself in their shoes and be their shoulder to lean on.

– By our regional intern, Rawan Chaya, at the World Youth Alliance – Middle East

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