Your Deeds Are Your Monuments

Your deeds are your monuments. This saying was made famous by children and teachers after its appearance in RJ Palacio’s book Wonder, and it sends a inspiring message when considering alcohol and drug use.  

To teens, it is another expression of the familiar saying of “actions speak louder than words.” It says don’t tell me you’re going to stay off drugs and away from alcohol. Show me. Get involved in other activities. Find a passion. Be an athlete, a musician, a volunteer, an employee. Use your energy to explore and inspire. Your words and promises are meaningful, but your deeds are your monuments. Your actions show me, as your parent, that this is your commitment. They are my reasons to believe. 

As a parent, the message is clear. If you want to have healthy teens, you cannot live in the “do as I say, not as I do” world. If you want your children to believe that the best things in life are family and friends, dedication to work and passion, and living healthy, prove it. Are you coming home drunk from parties every weekend yet telling them drinking is bad? Your deeds are your monuments. Your words impact for a moment. The images they have of you and how you interact with your world are permanent. Show them. 

Your reactions to the behavior of someone abusing drugs or alcohol have immediate impact. You do not want your child or spouse to be angry with you. You do not want them to think you’re unfair or that you do not understand. So you give chances. Your deeds are your monuments. With a toddler, if you say “if you don’t put that toy down right now you’re in a time out” but don’t follow through, you’ve lost. The toddler knows you don’t mean it and will not listen. The toddler will have temper tantrums because he knows you will not follow-through. Drug and alcohol abusers are the just like toddlers. They are testing you. “Mom says if I come home drunk that she will take away my phone.” If you don’t do it, you have no impact in the future. 

Your deeds are your monuments. Follow-through. Make an impact. Teens, show the world your commitment to staying away from alcohol and drugs with your actions. Parents, show your teens how to have a healthy lifestyle. And families, remember your every reaction to drug and alcohol use is a clear message to what you’ll accept, and what you won’t. If your deeds are your monuments, you control them with your choices. Create monuments that help your family become healthy and strong. 

Informative Screening Solutions, a company providing drug testing, finger printing, and background check services, sponsors this blog as a way educate and motivate kids, parents, and community members who want to build a drug-free future for our community.