The Oxford dictionary of English defines character as the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
In another dictionary, character is said to be the stable and distinctive qualities built into an individual’s life which determine his or her response regardless of circumstances.
Our character is also not just what we try to display for others to see, it is who we are even when no one is watching. It includes all those things we try to do when we are alone in our own spaces.
Good character is doing the right thing because it is right to do what is right.
It has been said that character is the foundation for all true success. A person may have money, position, or power, but unless he has “good” character he or she is not considered to be truly successful. We do not often think of character as having such a direct effect on our successes or failures. But when we break character down and consider the individual qualities that together make up a person’s character; we can easily see that it is true.
Today’s world faces many difficult problems. Escalating crime, drug and alcohol abuse, workplace violence, school dropouts, deteriorating work ethics, domestic violence, broken families…
At their core, all of these problems spring out of the lack or misapplication of good character qualities. If we are to find lasting solutions to the problems of our day, we must deal with these roots. We must work to improve our own character and help those around us to improve theirs. Character development is essential to the ongoing success of our society. But really, to what extent does character determine how far in lives we go?
Whatever a man or woman is or ever will be depends on and is determined by character, all that they are, emanates from and is born of that character.
Character influences the success of every individual, family, organization, community, and nation. Although some people with bad character seem to be successful on the surface, underneath they face poor relationships, distrust, anxiety, stress, and other severe problems that all the success in the world cannot correct.
In addition, an unknown author says, “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
I interviewed a few people on this subject.
One, Lone Phineas, revealed that she truly believes that one’s character determines how far they go in life. She said one’s character makes things easier for them to achieve more in life. “It reveals moral purpose and exposes class of things a man chooses or avoids,” she said.
Another interviewee, Yvonne Ditlhase, also shared the same sentiments. She added that one’s character definitely determines their future.
“In my case, the love I have for people manifests itself in many ways. For example, I have good relationships with the people in my life. Character simply builds you,” Ditlhase said.
