The purpose of this post is twofold. First off, it’s a follow-up to my previous post called “You Don’t Matter – And That’s a Good Thing.” Secondly, I decided to participate in a writing contest called You Are Enough, hosted by Positive Writer. You can check out the details here.

If you recall from “You Don’t Matter,” we discussed how infinitesimally small we are compared to both the universe as well as the sum total of humanity. Given that, how can we possibly be enough? How could someone so small and insignificant make a difference in the world?

Tiny People, Tiny Problems

It’s actually pretty simple. You see, our problems are also puny. They’re just as insignificant as we are, and because of that, they’re actually far more moveable than we usually think.

Of course, they don’t look that way from ground level. It’s often very hard to shake the perspective that our problems are far too big to manage. How could a mere mortal move the immoveable? How can a man mash the unmalleable?

How much alliteration can Andrew accomplish on average in this article?

The secret is action.

The Works of Johannes Liechtenauer

Back in 14th-15th century Germany, there lived a funny little man by the name of Johannes Liechtenauer. Liechtenauer was a very talented individual because he wrote all about how to fight with swords in verse.

Seriously. Go look it up. It’s awesome.

Anyway, at the start of one of his long poems, he says something that may be translated, “Confronted with bravery and power, / every opponent will hesitate.” The idea is if you rush at your opponent fearlessly, striking with force, you’ll make them pause and give yourself an edge. An otherwise competent foe would be unnerved and lose the initiative, forcing him to defend and preventing him from threatening you as effectively.

This idea holds true in life in general, not just swordsmanship. There is a lot of power in simply taking action. Take a step forward with a lamp, and the darkness is pushed away. Say something to a friend, and they’ll respond. Call someone out on their stupidity, and they’ll backpedal in an attempt to salvage their pride (especially if you’re right).

Write a genuine poem to your crush, and she will be deeply touched. Threaten strangers in public, and you’ll get arrested. Wait a minute…

The point is action provokes response. You have no impact until you do something, but when you do take bold action, there will always be some kind of consequence. In this, changing the world is inevitable.

Objects in Motion

A sword on its own isn’t going to do much. A .50 caliber bullet sitting on the table is just a few ounces of metal and powder. But put in motion, they have a great deal of power.

A writer writing is enough to do a great deal of good. A writer dormant won’t accomplish anything because they’re not in motion, as it were.

Consider the .50 caliber bullet. It’s not very big. It has no power on its own. But when it’s set flying beyond the speed of sound, it can have catastrophic results. If a few ounces of metal and powder can reduce a person to pink mist, just imagine what you can do at high velocity!

You have power when you are in motion. When you are not in motion, you accomplish nothing. In many ways, validation comes only as we take action. Confidence and power come with movement, and they typically result from action rather than precede it.

Act and Take Courage

Ultimately, your impact is directly proportional to your willingness to take action. And as weak or fallible or talentless as you may believe yourself to be, you will accomplish far more good taking action than someone who sits dormant. Potential doesn’t matter. Work does. And work does a great deal.

If a tiny hornet can put a full grown man to flight, you can defend the downtrodden.

If a single feather can make an elephant sneeze, you can tickle the masses.

If a couple ounces of metal can explode a human head, you can blow people’s minds.

If I have the gall to submit something like this to an inspirational writing contest, you can find the courage to speak your mind in this crazy world.

Act, and a tiny bit of the universe will yield.

So, what are your thoughts? Feeling pumped to take action? Or do you think this talk of bravery and power is utter nonsense? Let me know in the comments! Also, please share this with your friends. All proceeds go toward social reconditioning for people who threaten strangers in public. Really.