Please Don’t Boast and Brag About Something Which You Don’t Do Yourself…

 Practice Before You Preach

:By Dr Sunil S Rana 

We live in a world where people love to talk big. They often project an image of being disciplined, spiritually elevated, or supremely committed; but when it comes to actual practice, reality tells a different story.

I have personally witnessed many such individuals. They claim:

• “I wake up at 3 a.m. during Brahma Muhurta, meditate, and do yoga daily.”
• “No matter when I sleep, I rise at 4 a.m. without an alarm and go for a long walk, regardless of the weather.”
• “Discipline defines me - I never compromise on my morning routine of yoga and pranayama.”

Such words may sound inspiring at first, but often they are nothing more than self-boasting declarations. The bitter truth is that many who preach this way fail to follow even a fraction of what they say. Deep within, they are merely feeding their ego, hiding their shortcomings behind tall claims.

When confronted with their inconsistencies, excuses come readily:

• “I gained weight after my accident.”
• “It’s my thyroid problem that makes me bulky.”
• “I don’t care about looks, why bother being slim and smart?”
• “Life is short, eat, drink, and make merry!”

All these are nothing but veils to cover a simple reality: a lack of self-control, discipline, and consistency. It is far easier to preach discipline to others than to live it ourselves.

Gandhi Ji’s Lesson: A True Example of Integrity

There’s a powerful story about Mahatma Gandhi that perfectly illustrates this principle.

One day, a woman visited Gandhi Ji with her young son. She pleaded, “Bapu, please tell my child to stop eating jaggery and sweets. His health is suffering, and the doctors have warned us.”

To her surprise, Gandhi Ji did not immediately give advice. Instead, he asked her to return after two weeks.

Puzzled but respectful, the lady came back after the said time. Only then did Gandhi Ji look at the boy and advise, “My child, it is better for you to stop eating sweets.”

The lady, curious, asked why he had delayed the advice for two weeks. Gandhi Ji gently smiled and replied, “Because I too was fond of sweets. Before telling your son to give them up, I had to first free myself of that habit. Only then could my words carry truth and weight.”

This anecdote beautifully underlines a timeless truth: real authority comes from example, not empty words.

Why Practice First?

1. Authenticity Inspires: When you genuinely live what you preach, people trust and respect you.
2. Experience Gives Depth: Only when you experience the struggle and discipline yourself can you truly guide others with empathy.
3. Consistency Builds Character: Actions shape identity; words without actions weaken it.

Final Thoughts:

In life, it is easy to advise others; it makes us feel powerful, wise, even superior. But before preaching discipline, health, spirituality, or morality, we must ask ourselves: Am I living this truth?

As the saying goes, “Your actions speak so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”

So let us resolve: first practice, then preach. Only then will our words carry weight, our advice inspire change, and our lives become the true message