Happiness and Success 7

Character Building Takes Time

Education (the field of study that deals mainly with methods of teaching and learning) and knowledge (the body of truth, information, and principles acquired) are not exactly the same as “character building”. We need both knowledge and education to survive countless experiences. But how we shape ourselves in the process may or may not result in building up a strong character. Oftentimes, the term “good character” is defined by society as merely having no criminal offense. Thus, there is also a need to define “strong character” and to differentiate it from “good character”. One may have good character but actually has weak character that keeps a person frequently downtrodden which is a negative feeling. I know of elders who fail to build up strong character. In fact, many people around the world who grow older tend to forget the importance of also achieving the goal of having a strong character so as to set the example for younger generations, by simply showing it in their lives. Frustrations overcome them. Depressed thoughts make them sick.

If ongoing education takes time, even more time is required for a successful character development. For most people, however, it appears like it takes forever. Failures in this aspect of life are probably by the billions worldwide. Leaders in government, churches, educational institutions, and business enterprises are having tremendous difficulties maintaining strong character at the height of unavoidable criticisms. When some leaders utilize harassment or violation of human rights, it becomes obvious what kind of characters they have built for themselves. When some leaders indulge in fault-finding or witch hunting just to advance their political agenda, they are actually teaching citizens to justify their own wrong acts of fault-finding and nagging of their fellow men.

Try evaluating the newspapers and the corresponding writers or leaders who communicate. Did you ever wonder why most news tend to be bad news ?

Choosing a pattern of life wherein we can be most fruitful is in itself a challenge. Open-mindedness and flexibility can lead a person to a better way of looking at himself / herself as well as other people and the rest of the world. One institution I know emails to me news about death at the rate of almost 50 % of the time. Society honours great men when they are dead or after they die. The good news of the holy bible is stuck with very few lives of good characters thousands of years ago as though there are no similar strong characters in our present time or more recent years. Preachings can bombard people with a lot to blame and make citizens feel so sorry for themselves. So where is the good news ? The usual theme is this: when you die, you can be born again if…

We probably have a scarcity of people with strong characters.

One strong character portrayal I am aware of is Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Mr. Universe in the field of bodybuilding, having won more bodybuilding titles than anyone. As he reached greater roles as Actor and Governor, he reminded admirers about not considering more wealth as a basis for obtaining more happiness. He said he was richer with over $50 million. But he felt happier when he had only $ 48 million. That must have been because other factors lessened that feeling of joy within.

I know of another person who had the chance to earn substantial amounts and was blessed with inherited wealth. After making bad decisions to pour out more cash for more properties, now that person is complaining about cash shortage and blaiming other people for the situation. You probably know about worse examples. Let’s search for good examples. I am sure there are models of our present time. Who ever placed them under the rug to hide strong characters away from the limelight ?

It is never too late to change. Let us focus on the bright side of living here and now.