When my Grandfather was still a student, a mother came to him. This mother had run out of her mind to counsel her son who never wanted to follow her advice. Finally, because she heard the news that my Grandfather was a person who gave advice, so she intended to ask for help from my Grandfather.
To my Grandfather, the mother said that her son is a very active smoker. So, the mother was to worry that her son will later develop a disease caused by smoking actively.
"Please advise my son. I have forbidden him to not smoking anymore. But, he still smoking".
"Okay mom. Please come in two weeks, yes, "my Grandfather replied.
The mother went home. As my Grandfather replied, she came back two weeks later. When meeting the mother's son, my Grandfather also said: "Son, do not often smoking because it's not good for your health. Follow what your mother said, " his advice is brief.
Miraculously. My Grandfather's brief advice turned out to work. At that time and the days after, the boy stopped smoking cigarette.
Intrigued, three days later the mother came back to meet my Grandfather.
"Grandfather, why are you asking me to wait two weeks before you advise my son?" She asked in surprise.
"Sorry, because two weeks ago I was also smoking cigarette. When I stop smoking cigarette, then I dare to advise your child's mother, "my Grandfather replied.
The story above is the story I heard from my Father. The contents are simple, but the message is so strong. Often, in our relationships with fellow human beings, whether it be with friends, family, or others, we try to advise them. We know that what others do is bad, therefore, with the intent of his good, we advise him.
However, not all of our advice is acceptable to them. Sometimes, instead of following our advice, it is often that person is being nonchalant, just like the child of the mother who does not want to stop smoking cigarette. For a long time, we also often become annoyed and in the end choose to let it.
But before we surrender and label the person with a "stupid" stamp for not listening to advice, why not try to first look inside yourself?
There is one thing we can learn from here: words often become less meaningful if there is no accompanying action. To convey advice to someone, it is not enough just to pass on words. More than that, it takes a willingness of us to introspect and change ourselves first. Let us not be like the empty tongue proverbs, cleverly giving input, but not being able to set an example.
This story also admonished me. I could not have asked my friend to stop saying harshly while I still cursed myself with dirty words. I can not ask my friend to be a discipline while I still break the rules.
That's all what i want to share today, thanks for your attention Steemian friends.