WALK THE TALK

We live in a world of change and progress. We have reached the moon and dived into the depths of the sea. We have made tremendous advancements and innovations. Our living conditions have improved a lot. Science and technology continue to offer us better facilities and conveniences in every aspect of our life. But the question is, are we satisfied with the state of affairs today? Are we truly becoming human? Do values and virtues continue to make our life less mechanical and more human? Are we still attuned to words like ethics, values, integrity, honesty, accountability, transparency, etc.?

Let us have a glance at the situation of our nation. India ranks 96 out of 180 countries in the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024, showing it as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.  Are you aware that in India people get salary for teaching in schools that do not exist, for projects that have never been executed, for purchases that have never been made, for contracts that have never been carried out? Do you know that people keep stealing public property?

There are extortions by the police on the roadside, gangsters in forest tracts, armed young men in politically disturbed areas, officers when signing even the most ordinary document, agents for the minimum services? All know such practices are unethical, corrupt, dishonest, unjust.  But knowledge alone is not enough. We need to live by what we know to be right.

Mere Knowledge not Enough

Constitution of a country, rules and regulations of an institution, norms and principles of a society alone cannot guarantee a corruption-free society. Integrity cannot be imposed from without. It is generated in the heart of an individual, in the bosom of a community, fostered within a family, nurtured by a culture, strengthened by the practice in a community, handed down from one generation to another by people who have lived, experienced, built their life upon such values and principles.

Integrity cannot be taught in words. They are learned. When children see their parents truthful and honest, they too learn to be honest. When they see their teachers, elders, people in leadership position, honest and sincere, hardworking and committed, loving and caring towards others, children learn such values and uphold them.

In truth, all of us love a corruption-free society, desire to work in a safe and secure place, live in peace and harmony, enjoy freedom and trust, desire to be known as people who are honest and true. Our greatest human challenge is to behave according to our beliefs, to do the right thing, to practice what we preach. In other words, to Walk the Talk.

Walk the talk is a proverb meaning to put your beliefs into actions, to lead by example, to move from words to action. It means to act on what we profess, believe and value, for actions speak louder than words. They make a real difference to our own lives and to the lives of others. Mere words do not have any significance.

V. Raghunathan in his book ‘Games Indians Play’ asks several thought-provoking questions for understanding our behaviour: “Why are we a nation that is individually so smart and collectively so naïve? Why do we mistake talk for action?  Why are we among the world’s most corrupt? Why do we jump red lights? Why do we dump garbage at the neighbour’s doorstep? … Why do I tear off a page from a library book, or scratch my name on the Taj Mahal? Why do I light a match to a football stadium, a city bus or any other public property, or toot my horn in a residential area at 3.00 am? Why do I leave a public toilet smelling even though I would like to find it squeaky clean as I enter it? … Why do I run the tap full blast while shaving even when I know of the acute water shortage in the city?…”

Then he adds: “…We are glib with our words… we can rationalize almost anything with verbiage. We are great debaters… we mistake talk for action, meetings for decisions taken, reports written for actions done, judgement announced for judgement implemented, testimonials written for character assessed, speeches made for promises kept…”

Mere words, however good, worthwhile, inspiring, excellent are not enough. We need to do what we know to be right and demonstrate through our deeds that we are committed to fight the temptation to compromise our values and beliefs; that we are honest, we respect and treat everyone with dignity. We need to be courageous to follow our conscience, instead of following the crowd, to choose rightness over popularity and convenience. We need to listen to our conscience, as Christopher Reeve says, “We all have a little voice inside us that guides us…. If we shut out all the noise and clutter from our lives and listen to that voice, it will tell us the right thing to do…”

Ethics Ensure Good Business

Today, business companies are gradually discovering that Ethics make good business. They understand the importance and absolute need of trust, honesty, integrity, corporate social responsibility, ethical business behaviour, respect for employees, social justice, care for the environment, interest in the neighbourhood, good governance, community development and continuous improvement.

Business Companies appoint ethical officers to make sure that their employees observe ethical principles. They write inspiring vision and mission statements to guide and inspire them and evaluate them regularly by asking feedback from their customers. They know it very well that a good reputation, based on refined and respectful behaviour, honest dealings, transparency and accountability, reliability, wins them credibility, enables them to retain, succeed and flourish their business.

Commitment to Value-based Life

I believe, there is a deep longing in every person to live by values.  Despite cultural differences, people agree on certain values, like honesty, loyalty, compassion, friendship, sympathy, family bonding, etc. These build bonds between people, and shared values generate trust. All people irrespective of culture and social status agree on the importance of integrity, and feel honoured to encounter people with a blameless character.

Life is all about choices. Each day we make several choices that distinguish us from others, personally and professionally. We have to recognize that ethics is never a business issue, a social issue or a political issue. It is a personal issue. It is a decision to live a life of integrity. We cannot have one set of values for our personal life another set of values for our professional life.

Beyond All Talk

The Church in India, has tremendous impact on Indian Society through Education from Pre-primary to University level, Social Services and Health Care. We own prestigious Schools, Colleges and Universities, various educational youth ventures, known for their academic excellence. In a rapidly evolving world, Church’s role in nurturing ethical values and shaping the moral character in the young people, preparing them to face modern challenges with moral and ethical integrity, forming them to be good, upright and honest human beings is of utmost importance.  As we qualify our students academically and technically, we need to form them ethically, inculcating in them deep sense of values, virtues and sound principles. What our society, our nation and the world need today, besides academic and technical qualification, is our capacity to live by what we teach, to uphold values and virtues, to be persons of integrity, to Walk the Talk.

Walking the Talk, helps us to build credibility, trust and authenticity; leading to lasting relationships, better engagement, creating a trustful environment, breaking down barriers, establishing deeper connections, enhancing creativity that leads to innovative thinking, fostering open communication and promoting the well-being of all.

Living a life of integrity has enormous positive effects – it helps us to feel healthier, younger, vibrant, energetic and enthusiastic, to experience deep joy and happiness, inner peace and satisfaction that comes from knowing that we are contributing to make our world a better place. For this, we need to live a life of ethics ‘walk it like you talk it.’

Remember, with every sunrise comes new opportunities, a clean slate upon which to record your life and leave your legacy. So, Walk the Talk!

( Sr. Celine D’Cunha FMA, is a Salesian Sister of Don Bosco, belonging to Shillong Province. She has several years of experience as a community leader, Provincial Councillor, Principal of Schools, Resource Person. Presently she lives in Jerusalem (Israel). She is a member of the Editorial Board, MAGNET. Email: celinedfma@gmail.com)

Blurb

Walk the talk means to act on what we profess, believe and value, for actions speak louder than words. They make a real difference to our own lives and to the lives of others. Mere words do not have any significance.

Mere words, however good, worthwhile, inspiring, are not enough. We need to do what we know to be right and demonstrate through our deeds that we are committed to fight the temptation to compromise our values and beliefs.

In a rapidly evolving world, Church’s role in nurturing ethical values in the young people, preparing them to face modern challenges with moral and ethical integrity, forming them to be good, upright and honest human beings is of utmost importance.