There was a time when people thought that an individual’s personality, character and, accordingly their destiny was decided before they turned five years old. Today, experts think differently.
They realize and acknowledge that people are capable of changing even as they grow older. Character is defined differently by different schools of thought. In the simplest terms, it is the manner in which a person reacts to a situation based on his or her experiences with their family and the world around them. Character is founded on the virtues and values that you hold dear in life.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are but tiny matters compared to what lies within us. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
There are moments in life when you have to make a choice between two equally important decisions, this is when your character will shine through and help you make a choice. Sometimes this choice may be as surprising to you as it is to others around you. To build your character you need to make choices not just in the spur of the moment but on the basis of what is truly important to you. Your character defines who you are as a person, and so it is only fair that once in a while you spend some time in solitude, thinking about the values and ethics that you live your life by.
Accepting your past
But until a person can say deeply and honestly, “I am what I am today because of the choices I made yesterday,” that person cannot say, “I choose otherwise.” ~ Stephen R. Covey
In order to come to any conclusion about your character you need to be able to look at your past without regret or guilt and only with the aim to learn from it. In the journey of life only if you understand where you come from, you can then determine where you move from here on. When you inspect your life a little closely you will find some things that bring you joy and pride, and others that you would much rather change. To change your life you need to be honest and true, and you need to modify your behavior accordingly. It is imperative that you know that your character shows in every small and big decision that you take.
Discipline
Adversity does not build character, it reveals it.
~ James lane Allen
Discipline is the cornerstone to building character. Only when you can control your impulses and your need for immediate gratification can you develop a strong and dependable character. Whether it is the choice to wake up in the morning when your alarm rings, rather than turning over and snoozing for a few minutes, every choice and decision matters. Discipline helps develop inner strength and the will to make and fulfill your commitments.
learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.~ Albert Einstein
(The writer is a social activist and former COO for the Uttarakhand Government 108 emergency services)