Word Of the Week #48: Character
April 22, 2009 by Susan Clarke
Character: a composite of good moral qualities blended with high ethics.
Are you fortunate enough to have someone in your life that has character? Do you know someone who might lack character?
Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that’s right is to get by, and the only thing that’s wrong is to get caught.” — Former Congressman J.C. Watts
My #1 in Character
When it comes down to it, I believe our character and integrity is the most important asset we have. It is our guiding force. When in doubt, always ask yourself this, “If someone did to me what I am about to do to them, would it be okay?”
This week focus on doing what is right, moral and ethical. Would your co-workers and family members describe you as being someone with good character?
Reader Responses
“Awesome stuff Susan,thanks again for another weeks interesting word! Yes, I have several people in my life that HAVE character….and one in particular who’s character I can never truly trust… and both are worlds’ apart! Their is a biblical verse that talks about …”our trials, builds chararcter which creates perserverence…… good stuff to meditate over!” — Cathie Capolino
“I just returned from a few days in Pentwater, Michigan, with Kristen and Erin. The days away in a secluded area surrounded by large stands of trees and a beautiful lake were badly needed. As for character, I have always let my conscience be my guide. In your note you mentioned the importance of thinking about how I would feel if someone were to do something or say something about me that was not true or exaggerated. In everything that I have written in my life, including my two books, I have made sure that I checked and double-checked information before publishing it. If I could not collaborate information that I had with at least one source, I would not use it. I have been fortunate that people have told me things in confidence over the years due to trust that had built up over the years. I have learned from hard experience, that once a trust is broken it takes a long time to rebuild, at least as long as it took to build it. In some cases it takes a number of years. Similarly, character is built during a person’s lifetime, it is not a birthright. The experiences we have in our relationships help us build that character. Every day I try to do the best that I can. I do believe in what goes around comes around. So, if I can treat people the way that I would like to be treated, great.” — Joe Moran
“Very true…my Supervisor/Manager once told me that if he heard something that someone said that described actions or behavior of mine that was rude or inappropriate of me he would tell them that this is out of character for Charlie.” — Charles Rich