Character

The only thing that will every truly define us as humans is our character. And our character is defined by our actions. This is a relatively simple concept. However, living up to the character that we envision for ourselves is much more difficult. Of course, it need not be. We as humans have the ability to change how we act like a light switch. The problem is that over time, through our daily experiences, our own personal switch remains stagnant in one position, caked into place by day-to-day life. Though I suppose a light switch may not be a fair analogy. It is more like a dimmer switch. A cold person is more than capable of warming up to others, slowly turning the dial until they are nearly a different person. But seldom do people change. Why?

I am of the belief that every one wants to be the best version of their self. And I believe that many people are angry or upset simply because they know they should be better, and yet they are not, so they take out their frustrations on the world and themselves. But often times the reason for all of this is because of where our values are placed. The person who values character never has to worry about their character being taken away from them because their character is defined by their actions, and their actions are the only thing they have complete control of. But for those who value themselves based on status or material possessions, they fight a war that they can never win. Status and things and other people’s opinions can be stripped away from anyone without warning. And on many occasions, to gain these things in the first place, one must compromise one’s own character to appease others. But since opinions change constantly, there is not sufficient grounds for any type of basis. Were it a science experiment, opinions would be the dependent variable, which is hardly the way to lead a life. The problem is, in Western society at least, that so much of our perception of our self and others is based on the social hierarchy that we’ve made up. Though as we look back through history, the people who are most remembered and revered are those who acted virtuously and justly. There are, of course, just as many people who are remembered for their faults, but those stories are told as cautionary tales, things to avoid in our own lives.

We are all susceptible to feeling inspired by a heroic story, thinking that we’ll implement such actions into our own lives, only to forget about them once someone makes a comment, or even worse, that our conscious tells us that that we are not a hero. Other people do heroic things, but not us, so we should remain just as we are, because that is how it has always been. But I say no to this. We are all capable of becoming better, and it all comes down to our actions. It does not matter what others think of us, what we own, what we do for work, or even how we’ve thought about ourselves all of our lives. What matters is that we take pride in what we do, for we all deep down know what the right thing is to do. We must simply do what we know is right, and forget all the other factors, as the majority of those factors are imaginary be begin with.