Character - An Endangered Commodity

When young, being looked at by adults who were saying "She's a character!" never really phased me. Later in life I realized that being a character and having character are two very different things.

I am still a character, no doubt about it. And I am constantly working on my character, which is developed from the time you are old enough to know right from wrong and choose correctly - or not.

Being a person of character can have many interpretations, but to me it means being a person who is honest and forthright and courageous, someone who owns up to their mistakes and takes responsibility for their choices. A person of character is someone I respect.

Character takes a lifetime to build, but can be destroyed in a nanosecond. A man's character can be determined by the choices he makes when he believes no one else will know.

Living life honorably, with character, takes courage.

Courage seems to be a dwindling commodity these days, more and more youth choose to hide behind alcohol and drugs, in the shadows of their parents, behind their peers, in a cloak of mystery or a hood of denial.

Courage is a national treasure that is truly at risk.

Persons of character are quickly becoming an endangered species.

Character itself is an endangered commodity.

I know that my reaction to someone who acts with courage and honesty is much more positive than it would be to someone who behaves in a cowardly  and cavalier way. Especially in the face of life changing events.

People without character are selfish and self-centered.

I am grateful to know so many kind, generous, honest folks. Six of them are my children. They help me to strengthen my character every day.

Again, something I am very grateful for.

Build character. Tell the truth. Care about others. Choose wisely. Take responsibility.

And don't hide under a hood, or in a dark room, or behind a locked gate. It isn't funny. It isn't brave. It isn't kind.

If your character is lacking, fix it. Start making the right choices. If you don't respect yourself, how in the world can we?

Respect and character aren't free, they take work. You have to develop and earn both. And life will sort those with and those without in the blink of an eye.

We all love a character, but more importantly, we respect a person of character.

Find yours.

The Staple Singer "Respect Yourself"

Dog Years

It seems to me, if someone (or something) wants to be liked, used, appreciated and bragged about, they are careful about their communication - honest but not necessarily totally revealing, serious about life but with a enough humor to make them real, AND tactful and sensitive.

This is not the case with the Wii Fit. Within the first few minutes of our initial "getting to know you" conversation, I was told that my "Wii Age" is 4 years older than I really am. "Your Wii age is (imagine a drumroll here, as if I am going to be ecstatic) FIFTY NINE!" What? Excuse me? How dare he/she? We hardly know each other! The totally out-of-the-blue, shoulda-known-me-better-first statement was shocking to say the least, especially since I am not even 55 yet.

I am much more accustomed and appreciative of the (possibly insincere) comments that I more often receive: You have HOW many kids? I would never have guessed." OR "You must have been a child bride." OR "Your age, let's see...you can't be a day over 45!"

Now that's what I am talking about. Blatant lies, but that's one heck of a lot better than blatant honesty! There is a time and place for insincerity and blatant fudging, or even withholding of the truth. And there are some things that don't need to be said. EVER!

First impressions count, and at this moment, my first impression of Wii Fit is not great. I appreciate directness, but NOT in the first conversation you ever have!!! Gimme a break! Try delicacy next time.

And use some tact please! Why not just say "In dog years, you lovely lady, you are little more than 9 years old." But noooooo, just blurt out the calculation of FIFTY NINE as if it's my daily mileage allotment or something. Of course he/she didn't care, they are a Mii, they can't see my face, feel the emotion of my offense.

All I know is that the Wii needs some etiquette training. I can only imagine their online communication blunders if this is how they communicate 'face to face'.

Manners are a thing of the past, and evidently, I am not far from joining them. And speaking of that, I just lost four years, so you'll have to excuse me now; I have some living to do - with my dog - most definitely a woman's best friend!

Aerosmith "Living on the Edge"