Less Noise. More Action.

I love the enthusiasm a lot of you are bringing to Facebook as of late. The energy almost feels palpable.

And because we’ve got a good thing going, I feel like today might be the day for a little tough love.

You good with that?

Ok, cool.

Here's my question: What if we took that same energy we're all bringing and channeled it into productivity?

Like, what if we actually *did* something instead of yelling at each other through typing?

It’s a wild idea, I know. But I feel like it’s at least worth considering.

Said another way (in my most humble yet firm voice):

→ Some of us are complaining about government corruption while neglecting to lead our own families with integrity.

→ Some of us are complaining about the cost of living while refusing to develop new skills or pursue better opportunities.

→ Some of us are complaining about a broken healthcare system while fueling our bodies with junk and avoiding exercise.

Hard truth? Sure.

But guess what? Sometimes the truth is hard.

I know this is a radical idea in our current culture, but I don’t believe that truth is subjective. In my (humble) opinion, the truth is not something we get to bend to our preferences or emotions. Truth is singular. Truth is absolute. And that’s exactly why it’s worth seeking out.

At the Stewart home, we have a simple rule: general whining isn’t welcome—but thoughtful frustrations accompanied by solutions? Those, we’ll listen to.

It’s not that we ignore problems. We don’t. But venting—without action—doesn’t fix anything. And if you spend enough time online, you start to see a pattern: people aren’t always looking for solutions; they’re often looking for validation.

Every time you complain on Facebook, your brain gets a tiny dopamine hit from every like, comment, or reaction. It *feels* productive—like you’re rallying the troops or exposing an issue that needs fixing. But more often than not, it’s just noise. No solutions. No movement. Just an endless loop of frustration disguised as action.

And listen, I’m not immune to it. I’ve caught myself wanting to post something just to let off steam. But if I’m not careful, I’ll mistake attention for progress. And those two things are not the same.

If you're buying what I'm selling, here’s the simple 3-step filter I created for myself a few years back. Before I share something on social media, I ask myself three simple questions:

Does this contribute to meaningful conversation?

→ Am I adding depth, wisdom, or clarity to a topic, or just adding to the noise?

Does this inspire action or reflection?

→ Will this challenge people to think differently, live better, or take a step toward growth?

Does this align with the person I want to become?

→ If my kids, my spouse, or my future self looked back on this post, would they see a man of integrity, wisdom, and purpose—or just another voice in the crowd?

If the answer to all three is no—then maybe it doesn’t need to be said.

The attached photo was taken during mile 25 of me and Jude's last marathon. To me, running a marathon is a lot like life. The physical challenge is real, but it’s the mental battle that takes most people out.

In this moment, every muscle in my body is screaming, but I’m locked in—focused on finishing strong (and, unlike Jude, I noticed the photographer in the distance).

Life, much like a marathon, isn’t about how fast you start. And as it turns out, complaining mid-race doesn’t do much good either. Progress comes from pushing forward, doing the work, and finishing well.

Because here’s the truth: what we say shapes what we build, and what we build shapes who we become.

I don’t always get this right. But I do know that how we handle our frustrations says a lot about us.

So, here’s my challenge to you (and to myself): Stop wasting energy on complaints that don’t lead to action. If something is broken, fix it. If something isn’t right, work to make it better. If you’re not willing to be part of the solution, at least stop adding to the noise.

Because at the end of the day, venting might make you feel better—but it won’t change a damn thing.

Godspeed.

PS — Sorry I said damn.

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