To begin to study character we need to find its definition. The dictionary defines character as qualities of honesty, courage, integrity, and moral or ethical quality. Let’s begin with honesty. Honesty in your life will make you someone that people will be able to trust. Remember the story of the boy who cried wolf. After crying out the alarm and getting everyone stirred up the boy would be shown to have only made up the story. Until one day, when the little boy did see a wolf and did need help and no one heeded his cries. I knew someone who despite the position of authority he held seemed incapable of telling the truth. It was almost as if the idea of telling a story instead of relating the true facts was more enjoyable to him. Unfortunately, he quickly lost respect due to his near addiction to falsehood. I’m sure in your professional or personal life you also know of someone who has had trouble with honesty. Has it ever prospered them completely? Sure there may be some appearance of success but eventually the truth comes out and when it does the end is never good for the one who perpetrated the dishonesty. Start this week being honest in all of your dealings. It only pays great rewards in the end. Next week we will look at our next definition of character, courage.
Chris Willett Editor
April 30, 2007
