Tags
Aaron Hernandez, Adrian Peterson, Beyonce, character, Chris Brown, ethical strength, excellence, heroes, Kim Kardashian, personal legacy, President Obama, real heroes, ultimate ideal, ultimate standard for excellence
What is … YOUR Character?
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char·ac·ter (krk-tr)
n.
1. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another.
2. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, group, or category.
3. Genetics A structure, function, or attribute determined by a gene or group of genes.
4. Moral or ethical strength.
5. A description of a person’s attributes, traits, or abilities.
6. A formal written statement as to competency and dependability, given by an employer to a former employee; a recommendation.
7. Public estimation of someone; reputation: personal attacks that damaged her character.
8. Status or role; capacity: in his character as the father.
There are more … Check HERE
Glance through this list and a concept begins to emerge of CHARACTER. There is little talk these days of character as evidenced by my adult daughter asking me the meaning. “What is Character,” she asked. If we “fix” ourselves and our kids, the world will take care of itself! Maybe if Americans spent more thinking about their/our character, we could actually FIX whats wrong in our nation, and the world will take care of itself because what works for us as individuals, will also work for our nation and others.
My answer incorporated much of the ideas above. Character suggests ideals: An ideal is a model of something perfect or without equal. As an adjective, ideal describes this ultimate standard for excellence, or something that exists only as an idea.
So, what is our “ultimate standard for excellence?” Do we look to a man like Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson who has fathered at least 7 children out of wedlock? Or the New England Patriots’ Aaron Hernandez? Or maybe Kim Kardashian is more appropriate? How about Chris Brown? Beyonce? Or maybe we choose President OBAMA?
Typically, our young people look to celebrities and athletes as “heroes” because of the shortage of real heroes … or maybe there are still plenty of real heroes, but our perspective has changed?
“For where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.”
Luke 12: 34
We each have a lifetime to build our character. We choose the definition of our character by our affections, by where we spend our time and/or our money. Most Americans surround themselves with … things. Where we spend our time and where we put our money are the greatest indicators of our character. Character is our most enduring legacy, so we each must decide how we want to be remembered and then work toward that goal. As “Honest Abe” Lincoln is remembered for his honesty, and Nixon is remembered for the Watergate debacle, each of us has the freedom to define our legacy, our character. Will we choose the popular “Kardashian” or “Peterson” standard of excellence, or the nobility of President Washington, the courage of Chris Kyle, or the boldness of Tim Tebow, our character is in process. What YOU decide will affect the future of your personal legacy, but also the future of America.
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