I received some comments on a recent topic about defining character and the process to build and strengthen character.  In one of my earliest blogs, I attempted to outline some aspects of character and I want to use today’s blog to dig a little deeper on the topic.

There are a number of ways individuals and organizations define character.  The Merriam-Webster Dictionary describes character as “the way someone thinks, feels and behaves.”  At Harvest Time Partners, we describe character as the ‘inner voice’ or ‘compass’ that guides our thoughts, decisions, and actions.  We build and strengthen our character when our ‘inner voice’ is anchored on principles like honesty, courage, compassion, and commitment.  These principles are timeless, universal, and self-evident.  From very early in our development and continuing throughout our lives, our character is built and continually strengthened as principles guide our thoughts, decisions, and actions,.

The reverse is also true.  When our ‘inner voice’ is anchored in pride, selfishness, cheating, and lying, our character is weakened and with repetition becomes corrupt.

The process of building and strengthening our character is no different than the process of building and strengthening our physical health.  There is pain, discomfort, and struggle in the process of building strength and endurance.  Muscles breakdown through exercise, we feel sore, and overtime, muscles grow stronger by new tissue being grown in the recovery process. 

Our ‘inner voice’ that defines our character responds just like our bodies.  When I was a cadet at West Point, we were constantly instructed to make decisions by “doing the harder right, rather than the easier wrong.”  That was very clear direction on how to build and strengthen our character with an understanding that there would be pain, discomfort, and struggle in making some of those decisions.  As we do more of the “harder right”, we get stronger and we are able to more effectively handle difficult, complex situations in life just like our muscles are able to effectively handle more strenuous activity. 

Again, the reverse is true.  If we don’t push ourselves physically, we become weaker and create more problems as we age.  As we continue to make decisions to do the “easier wrong” we weaken our character and at some point, we lose all discernment about truth and right or wrong. 

There are two realities that we can’t escape regardless of our choice to do ‘the harder right’ or ‘the easier wrong’:

(1) The Law of the Harvest, simply put, we reap what we sow is a natural law that holds true in describing outcomes with respect to the development of our character.  Building and strengthening our character with principle-based thoughts, decisions, and actions, will more often than not, enable us to reap an abundant harvest in our lives.  Weakening our character with thoughts, decisions, and actions guided by lies, selfishness, and pride, will more often than not, position us to reap a very poor harvest in our lives.

(2) The Power of Example.  The example we set will have a direct impact on those around us. There is nothing more influential on the lives closest to us than the power of our quiet, consistent example.  If we set an example of loyalty, honesty, and respect in our lives, our families and our coworkers will more times than not, follow that example.  If we lie, cheat, and steal, more times than not, our families and our coworkers will make those same choices, or at the very least, tolerate that behavior in others.  In Judeo-Christian teaching, scripture describes that the actions of parents are felt down to the third and fourth generations.  I am sure if we all looked honestly into the ‘inner voice’ that drives our thoughts, decisions, and actions, we can see our parents and grandparents.  Likewise, in the workplace, we see how the culture of an organization is reinforced by the actions of its leaders and even through transitions, promotions, and acquisitions it is very difficult to change the culture of organization as the power of prior example is tough to overcome.  

We are all on this critically important journey to build and strengthen our character.  There is no “EZ-PASS” lane and no finish line.  Regardless of our ‘inner voice’ that drove past thoughts, decisions, and actions, we should all feel a sense of hope that we can begin today to anchor our ‘inner voice’ on principles to help build and strengthen our character.  In return for our efforts, the Law of the Harvest and the power of our example should give us encouragement to keep moving forward and ensure we have a more positive impact on our life’s journey.

Our Character Creates Opportunity® for us to improve the bonds in our home, our workplace, and our community.