Talk Doesn't Cook Rice

I read a Chinese proverb yesterday that caught my attention. I like to collect quotes that impact me in some way. This one did. It was a short simple statement. ’Talk doesn’t cook rice.’ On the surface it looks too simple to be of much consequence but when you contemplate the message the sentence is making, you begin to see the wisdom within.

We are in an age of instant communication and, quite frankly, I believe that is not necessarily a good thing. At any moment in time you can be bombarded by people talking, people talking over other people, people throwing out opinions like candy at a parade. We’ve all seen it, there are people lined up beside the road waiting to see what they can get. Then the floats come along and candy is tossed out. Some people scrambled to get as much as they can, other act nonchalant about it but do not hesitate to take what comes in their direction. Of course, there are those that stand back and try to get out of the fracas. Remember, this is an analogy, we are still addressing people talking and throwing out opinions; the results are the same.

Be they political in nature, religion related, who’s kissing who, food you should eat or how you should have raised your kids and what clothes you need to wear this season; opinions are flying on talk radio, TV talk shows, newscasts, internet, back fences, café tables, PTO meetings, newspapers and magazines to name a few sources. A whole lot of talk is going on!

Frankly, I’m fed up with all the opinions floating around. If you listen long enough you will hear opinions change and morph into something else….politicians are the champs of morphed opinions; a firm stand on issues today is merely fodder for the crowds of supporters standing below the platform like puppies wagging their tales. These same ‘supporters’ will be disappointed when their candidate of choice moves in a different direction or does a 180 degree turn around when they bump up against the reality that they do not have the power to do all they promise to do. Worse case scenario for them is when their candidate does nothing at all. They come to the sad realization it was all talk. Nothing but talk to whip them up in a frenzy so they would run around telling everyone else how enlightened their candidate was and then sharing their own opinion about why the other candidate was not so good…opinions and talk, our world is full of them.

Perhaps they should read Proverbs 11:11-14

By the blessing of the influence of the upright and God’s favor the city is exalted, but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked. He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden. Where no wise guidance is, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.

Proverbs 11:29 says He who troubles his own house shall inherit the wind, and the foolish shall be servants to the wise of heart.

Turn off the noise of all the talk out there and get into the only solid information we can count on. That’s my opinion, for what it’s worth. Today I plan to be a woman of more action and less talk about action! Today, I am going to cook rice.