We won’t get wet, moving or challenged talking about swimming, riding a bicycle or climbing a mountain. How many calories will we burn chatting, contemplating, posting, or tweeting, no matter how interesting, innovative, or inspiring?

Yet, those actions are the beginning and end of so much good intention in the world that typically has the shelf life of expired milk left to warm on an immaculate kitchen counter.

We’re doing that already, many think and say when challenged to consider how humanity near and far will tackle our most urgent social challenges.

So why are so many still barely surviving in poverty? 

Why do we have neighbors who are hungry and homeless? 

Why are our children, brothers, sisters and parents searching for relief in substances rather than human connection?

Why are so many imprisoned, bullied or living in fear?

Why do marriages borne of passion and potential so frequently disintegrate despite our most fervent prayers and intentions … despite it all.

Why are Veteran lives more threatened from their own hands than any external foe?

Talking, contemplating, trying … that’s not the same as actually acting.

Being in action requires getting wet, moving, climbing … despite the uncertainty, discomfort and fear, committed to overcoming each obstacle because what you’re doing matters.

It gets messy.

It takes courage, perhaps even more.

Imagine preparing for an Olympic swimming match without getting in the water, trained by a coach who’s never been in.

Consider that in the context of preparing others for life, or learning from life, or recovering from life — any aspect of life.

Each of those lives sacrificed for our freedoms can no longer do that for themselves.

In their memory, we can get wet, riding, moving and climbing through actions that make a difference — despite the discomfort and uncertainty.

Imagine what we can accomplish when their courage becomes our courage.

With their courage as ours and their commitment as our commitment, we will create homes, neighborhoods and a world that honors each and all.

Seth Eisenberg is President/CEO of Purpose Built Families Foundation, a nationally-accredited nonprofit based in Pembroke Pines, Florida.