Character is a potpourri of many qualities like honesty, integrity, dependability, diligence, loyalty, compassion, sincerity, attentiveness, determination, confidence, etc. All these traits and many more sum up one’s character. Everyone has character.
It is our character that defines who we are and what we will become. Some people have more fully developed, some qualities, which set them apart from the rest. While character has much to do with the mental and ethical traits that make a person, it actually refers to the unique qualities that are built into an individual’s life which establish his reaction despite his circumstances. Although character might mean a lot of qualities, the fact is that all the qualities are kind of interrelated. If you are honest automatically you are more dependable, more responsible, and more conscientious.
When our overall character improves, it translates into success in all the areas of our lives. Often we tend to disregard the direct influence character has on our successes or failures. When you consider the individual qualities that come together to make ones character then it becomes easier to understand how character affects our lives. If you are honest at work, it will directly relate to your dependability which in turn will translate into better work being sent your way. If you are discreet, then people will be keener on sharing their knowledge with you. If you are diligent, better offers will come your way. If you are compassionate, you will receive the goodwill and the blessings of both your peers and your friends.
The youth of today live in troubled times. The stuff that is dished out in the name of entertainment and news fills the minds of the young with all the wrong things. These are tough times and children are often weak and give into peer pressure. The youth of today face grave problems such as substance abuse, gang activity, school dropouts, vandalism, juvenile delinquency, teen pregnancy and youth violence. These are all moral issues having much to do with our ethics. There are no easy solutions.
If any kind of long-term solution is hoped to be achieved we will have to go to the grass roots—the core values. Children who have strong sense of values will be under lesser pressure to succumb because there is already support system and it is not outside them, it is within. Core values give them the ability, the courage to stand up for what they believe in. Character is the tree and habits are the seeds you sow to reap it. If you invest in good habits, you will have reaped character and if you invest in character you will reap destiny.
