The hard reality is that we only bring something new into being in ourselves through action.
If I had to choose a favorite chapter title from all the books I have read, it would be "You can't get fit by watching others exercise." However, M.J. Ryan, in the book "This year I will," strikes an exposed nerve with the comment:
"Reading and talking to others can give us insight and support, and it can offer valuable reflection on what's working and what's not; but only if we are doing the heavy lifting in the first place."
A few years ago, I was reading a book in my study and looking for some answers to life's questions. I ran across an interesting idea and decided to write it down. To my surprise, the selection was already there in my notebook. I was stunned for a while; I looked at the thought, then looked at the book and couldn't remember reading the idea before or wondering why I hadn't reviewed it or applied it to my life.
I was sure the thought had hit me with the same impact the first time I wrote it because there it was written on the page. If I had taken the time to write it out, I'm sure I thought about and pondered the idea; however, it was only there on paper and not in my life.
I remember putting the book back on the shelf and resolved that I would stop reading about how to have a better life and start doing something about it. I went to work that day with a different attitude and worked around the house with more vigor.
Something changed that day, and I know it was the thought that it doesn't matter how much you know; if you don't put any of that thought into action, what good is it?
I have continued reading books and writing thoughts into my Personal Knowledge System. But more importantly, I review the ideas regularly; I try to make links between thoughts to understand their meaning better. I try to memorize them and imagine how I might apply them in a talk or lesson. But most importantly, I've been attempting to use them to make my life richer and better. Action changes our knowledge through the lens of experience.
Reference
[1] M.J. Ryan. "This year I will”
Journal Entry February 16, 2011