“You are always responsible for how you act,
no matter how you feel. Remember that.”
~ Robert Tew
There’s something powerful about the word action. Even just saying it out loud can stir something in us—like a movie director yelling through a megaphone, “ACTION!” It’s a word that carries energy, momentum, and choice. It evokes a sense of ownership. Power. Movement.
Of course, action takes many forms. We can take action, witness the action, or even get in on the action. At the root of it all is act—a word that implies doing, exerting, choosing. It’s not passive. It’s decisive.
And herein lies the truth we sometimes ignore: we choose to act.
We are not simply the product of our thoughts or feelings—we are defined by our choices, and our actions reflect those choices. In fact, our actions brand us. People may forget our words, but they rarely forget how we acted. Whether kind or cruel, generous or selfish, patient or reactive—our choices leave an impression.
Yes, feelings matter. They offer important insight into what we’re experiencing and why. But feelings aren’t always practical. They aren’t always reliable guides for behavior. This is why we’re called, as mature and faithful individuals, to act with integrity.
And though the word integrity isn’t explicitly in Robert Tew’s quote, it pulses through every syllable. Because choosing to act—regardless of how we feel—and being responsible for that action…that is integrity.
Integrity says, “I’m accountable.”
It says, “I own what I did.”
It doesn’t blame, deflect, or excuse. It stands for truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. And here’s the beautiful paradox—this kind of accountability, which at first feels heavy, actually brings freedom. It sets us on a path of growth, peace, and deeper understanding—of ourselves and others.
We learn to celebrate our good choices.
We learn to humbly apologize for our poor ones.
We become more forgiving—because we realize how often we’ve needed forgiveness ourselves.
So, acknowledge your feelings. They’re real and they matter. But don’t let them hijack your actions. Be thoughtful. Be prayerful. Be wise. You might just discover that the best action to take…is no action at all.
And what a powerful choice that can be.
To connect with Tina Charest, visit her directory profile at
https://www.catholiclifecoaches.com/tina-charest
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