While many talk about building character through adversity, I like to throw in an added twist: How do I behave when there is no cause to fight for, no one to save or let down, no one looking over my shoulder? It’s in those times, when I’m free to collapse into lazy indulgence, that I am given the choice to be disciplined. Will I become a nameless shadow, adrift in a sea of cravings? Or will I set to work, and honor the man I wish to be? Each time I answer that, I have chosen to either build or tear down the vaunted notion of “character.”
Musings
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19 responses to “Musings”
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In a personality-test training that I cannot recall the name of, there were two sets of behavioral preferences: How do I show up on a good day? How do I show up on a bad day?
Somehow I see those mirroring your idea. Great musing – fun way to explore character!
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If we can’t become the best human beings we are capable of being [however you define ‘best’], what’s the point of living?
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Well said, indeed! Character is a core value. Do you know John Phillips quote (1700’s) about goodness and knowledge?
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“Goodness without knowledge is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous, and both united form the noblest character and lay the surest foundation of usefulness to mankind.” John Phillips founded Phillips Exeter Academy in Exeter, NH. This quote is from the 1700’s. I apologize that I don’t know the exact year. I hope you like this as much as I do. -Jennie-
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Yep, motivating yourself when there is nothing on your radar for which to be motivated is tough. I know I don’t always do well with my free time 😉
Anything would be able to build character. Some if the toughest challenges are ones you face yourself, revealing what you could become in the end.
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In a grander sense yes. I’d posit that that it’s a much harder form of adversity to pull productivity from.
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Kent Wayne 
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