My Musings – We are not born with character. It is borne from our experiences. Usually difficult experiences. However, while many people experience difficulties, and even persevere in spite of them, character is not produced in all of us. While suffering and perseverance are almost always a prerequisite for building character, it does not always result in character. “Character does not suddenly appear when we reach the mountain peak. It is something we develop on the journey up. The sometimes long, sometimes arduous journey.” (Adapted from “Leaders Eat Last,” Simon Sinek).
Many people may appear (have a reputation) to have character, but under the surface (who they really are) they do not. Our true character is revealed in a variety of ways. Here are a few:
George Orwell – “The real test of character is how you treat someone who has no possibility of doing you any good.”
Abraham Lincoln – “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
John Wooden – “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.”
J. K. Rowling – “If you want to know what a man’s like, take a look at how he treats his ‘inferiors,’ not his ‘equals.'”
Stephen Covey – “A moment of choice is a moment of truth. It’s the testing point of our character and competence.”
Unknown – “Everyone tries to define this thing called Character. It’s not hard. Character is doing what’s right when nobody’s looking.”
My Advice – Character is the only thing you can take out of this life. A treasure to store up that moths and rust cannot corrupt. Only we can do that. Quick, while no one is looking, what choice will you make? Your reputation may not suffer from your choice, but what about your character? Choose wisely, it might just be your defining moment.
The Brew Is A Musing 