The Definition of A Modern Day Action Hero

Years ago I had come across a quote by 19th Century French philosopher Henri Bergson who said “Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.”

Growing up, my father and I used to play chess. I wasn’t particularly good but as an adult I understand why he felt so compelled to teach me. In chess, you turn ends when you make a move and remove your hand from the piece. I remember my father often saying, “Are you sure that’s something you want to do?” sparking the thought of “maybe there’s something I haven’t seen or considered.” Chess is a game of analyzing cause and effect. If I move here, this happens, if there than x, y, and z, then making the best possible choice.

I want to encourage our daughter to live her life with Bergson’s philosophy. Move stuff around, see what works, don’t be afraid to lose a few chess pieces, bump into stuff, but make calculated moves. Bumping around for moving sake is cumbersome and it leads to frustration. I know people who will analyze things to the end but they never make the move. Thought without action is probably just as bad as action without thought, maybe worse.

The more you move around the more mistakes you’re going to make, I think that’s physics. The best results come from a willingness to act, having given that action the proper thought it deserves.

Think like a person of action, act like a person of thought!

Have a great day!