Our Actions Define Who We Are as People

     "Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity." 

                                                - Edwin Hubbel Chapin  

           

            Our actions can determine who we are as people. It can also determine our relationship with others. However, many people use their words to either show or conceal their true feelings, even when actions can hold a greater value. Words can be covers for lies, but action will always hold the truth.

            In the book, “The Blood of Olympus” by Rick Riordan is the fast paced finale in the Heroes of Olympus series. In the book, the demi god team is finally up to the last battle, where they will fight the mother earth, and they know that in order to succeed one of them must pass on. Though every person in this book is completely capable of being independent they still depend on each other in many ways. Also, like most people they need someone to watch their backs. Throughout the book, each demi god relies on each other for help, and their actions either help to start a beautiful relationship or end one that had little chance of lasting.

            One relationship that sparks within this book is the friendship of Reyna and Nico. In page 57 of the book, Reyna states “Strangely, that made Reyna trust Nico more… Nico had proven himself in other ways… he carried so much sadness and loneliness, so much heartache. Yet he put his mission first. He preserved. Reyna respected that. She understood that.” Nico is someone Reyna can connect through pain and loss. She’s been alone for most of her missions, and she understands what it is like to feel alone. Reyna has the power to give her energy to others, however with such a great power comes a consequence. Not only can she feel the energy flowing inside the person she is aiding, but she can also feel the pain they go through each time they take a step, and fall. His actions of hiding his true feelings and keeping secrets that he knows can destroy the loyalty of two sides have brought her closer to him. She understands why he always puts his mission first, to appeal to those around him o he will get noticed, even if it is for a little while. Additionally and most importantly, his strong perseverance makes Reyna respect Nico, and it is said that respect is the hardest yet most wonderful thing to gain in the world.

            On the other hand, Annabeth’s simpler actions has brought her closer two people who have worked hard for almost all their lives. Both Piper and Nico feel reassured when Annabeth is around that they are not alone, nor will they ever be alone. For example, in page 156 Nico states, “He wanted to hate Annabeth, but he just couldn’t. She’d gone out of her way to thank him in Epirus. She was genuine and sincere. She never overlooked him like most people did. Why couldn't she be a horrible person? That would have made it easier.” Annabeth is normally the type of person that is kind and wise. She knows when someone deserves to be thanked and she knows that no one deserves to be avoided like Nico is by others. Many people just avoid Nico because he is different, and because he is the son of Hades. However, Annabeth takes any chance she gets to include Nico in the rewards he deserves. Another example of Annabeth’s kind actions was written in Jason’s perspective. In the book he states, “Annabeth’s fingers trembled. After all the things she’d been through, Jason found it odd that she’d freak out while Piper acted so calm. Then it occurred to him- Annabeth could afford to be scared for him. Piper couldn't. She was completely focused on trying to save him.” (39) Annabeth is always patting Piper on the back, and reassuring her with many kind gestures that everything will be all right. This is why piper feels strong whenever they are in a tough situation, although she wants to be scared she knows she can’t, but she knows that Annabeth will always have her back. In this scene, Piper “entrusted” Annabeth with the job to reveal Piper’s feelings as her own. In other words, she knew that she could trust Annabeth to express what she was feeling. Furthermore, although Annabeth’s actions are small and simple, they hold a great amount of meaning in them.

            Lastly, Jason has been most strongly affected by his mother’s actions. When someone breaks their promise to you, you may feel torn and lost; however Jason used a broken promise as a moral for his life. In the book it states, “His mother’s unkept promise was at the core of who he was. He’d built his whole life around the irritation of her words, like the grain of sand at the center of a pearl. People lie. Promises are broken. That was why, as much as it chafed him, Jason followed his rules. He kept his promises. He never wanted to abandon anyone the way he’d been abandoned and lied to.” As you can see your actions can affect a person greatly. Whether it is thanking someone for their hard work, or completely abandoning someone, it will always hold an effect, and sometimes the affect of those actions may not last forever, but the feeling the person can get from it may. When Jason’s mother abandoned him he felt torn and broken, and since then he worked hard to always be loyal to those who care about him. Moreover, his mother’s actions are the core for who he is as a person.

            To add on, our words can be lies, and you can always go back on your word. However, once you have done something (whether it’s good or bad) you can never erase its existence. That is why people need to learn that their actions can affect those around them, and it is important to remember that our actions can affect our relationships with others. Kind actions that have been thought about multiple times before it has been done can have more of a positive effect on people. Also, small gestures and having courtesy (like Annabeth) can bring you closer to a person. Words can be meaningless if the actions behind those words hold a negative or no effect, actions hold the truth behind the lies of spoken words from notorious people. After all, actions speak louder than words.