Whenever we touch on the subject of personal growth and betterment, you almost always find that you have to dig deep or brain goes into a short coma. Why is that so? Why is that when it comes to developing character that we're so out of our depth in regards to what it is and how to we grow in it?
Well the simple answer to that is that education for most doesn't cover this aspect. But what really this is about is that even if we were educated or nurtured "correctly", we'd find that when it comes to character development, it is something that's caught rather than taught.
Do not be afraid to lose. Good judgement comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgement. Everyone was new at one point. -Game Hint, Heroes of Newerth
Why is building Character important?
To answer that I'd like to share something I heard from someone who shared on what's important in working in a team. He mentioned that he looked for some important things of which he called the 4 'C's.......... Competence, Chemistry, Commitment, Character............. saying that the latter 2 qualities of more importance and greater weight from the former 2 when it came down to deciding on putting a team together or working together in a group.
From a personal standpoint in my own journey as a pastor and F&B operator, I can safely say that this 4 'C's principal is and always will be a fact of life. Whenever it comes to working with people or even personal growth, the most fun people are actually the committed and people with good character.
I've seen so many competent have absolutely no character, sabotage relationship, hurt others, hurt themselves, live extremely unhealthy lives and waste away their star potential, and on the other hand have seen what society might categorise as less than qualified individuals or social awkward, "weirdo", slow, incompetent, who are kind, thoughtful, caring, giving, faithful and extremely nice to hang around with.
Disclaimer: Do not use good and noble principles to judge others. This blog post is for self reflection and personal growth on being woke.
What for? - Further emphasis on it's importance
Like the natural process of a tree that bearing fruits, good character will affect your life. I'm sure you've noticed that people with bad character have very little people that like them and people who have good character have a lot of people that like them.
Then there are those who are fakers, of which you do not have to worry about because when it comes to character, it'll show when the going gets tough and where circumstances are not ideal. Situations bad or good will reveal EVERYONES character! (thunder and lightning affects with a dracula-like laugh)
Situations never really change us. It only reveals what we've been investing into and what we've been spending our time nurturing. Nurture and invest in building a good character and attitude!
How to Develop Character?
1 - Be with people. Develop comradeship.
As iron sharpens iron,
So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion]. - Proverbs 27:17 AMP
2 - Be humble. Be teachable. Always be on the learning and enjoy the process.
Before disaster the heart of a man is haughty and filled with self-importance, But humility comes before honor. - Proverbs 18:12 AMP
3 - Surrendering Ideals
I wanna write a little more on this particular one as some situations of late have got me to process this particular thought more. Fresh out of the oven if you would say 😃
The past weekend I witnessed and was a part of two friends of mine tying the knot. I know both of them personally way before they even started dating each other and now, getting married.
A little on the bride first since I've known her longer. I've known her since I was 15 or 16 years old of which I'm 30 this year so that's about 15 years of friendship. Knowing someone so long, you know the person very very very very well. There's not enough "very(s)" to say how well I know her.
The groom I met when he was a freshmen at college as well and have seen him grow from a boy to a young man and now my comrade in life. We've known each other for close to 10 years now.
And this isn't the number of years we've known each other but not talked to each other kind of friendship. These are people I meet every week at least once.
Both of which I can tell you have really good character. What I mean by that is that they are the depiction of the 3 points I'm using here. Extremely teachable people and never afraid to admit their mistakes or what they can grow and improve in but most importantly they are now married to each other because they let go of their ideals and pursued what really matters, knowing and loving each other.
We miss a lot of moments of character development and growth because many a times we THINK we want what we want and don't need what we don't need. We have our ideals, our dreams, our goals and sometimes although not bad intentions, we are unaware of what is really happening around us and miss out on discovering life because we're caught up in our ideals and wishes.
We have to let go to grab a hold of. My brother once said in a sermon that the hindrance to great things isn't bad things, it is the good things, it is the good stuff.
Putting that into perspective, I cannot stress enough how surrendering your ideals, what what you think is good could do for you. It might be the best thing that you ever do for yourself. SO DO IT TODAY!
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6
Final Thoughts
I hope that this read encourages you, benefits you and gives you a better worldview on who you are and how you can grow in your personhood. Have a good week ahead fellow Steemians. Full steem ahead!