by Kathy Soltani

Created on: June 08, 2010   Last Updated: June 09, 2010

What makes us different from one another is character.  Too often, character is a matter of the public estimation of an individual.  Character has nothing to do with the ways in which others measure the value of a person.  Instead, character refers to the moral and ethical strength of an individual.  Building strength of character requires the willingness to step outside the comfort zone of belonging to one community or another.  To do this means that an individual must exercise honesty, intelligence and compassion.

We tend to see ourselves as others see us.  This is natural, as human beings are social and derive comfort from belonging to a group. Unfortunately, character can be compromised by the power of community opinion.  We may not be able to resist the urge to go along with the crowd, simply to preserve our place in that crowd.  When this occurs, honesty is left by the wayside.  Popular opinion is not always moral or ethical.  Honesty is not always rewarded. It is sometimes uncomfortable to take a critical look at ourselves and our behavior and to judge the ways in which what we think and do affects those around us.  To build character, it is necessary to leave the fear of "not belonging" behind.  Honesty requires the courage to be different. To do what is right, rather than what is popular, is character building.

Sometimes it is difficult to know what is right. Our morality can be twisted by those in positions of power. To understand a moral obligation, we must exercise intelligence.  Individuals must keep informed of the myriad ways in which actions affect each member of a society.  We cannot act unilaterally or in ignorance.  One has only to pay close attention to the global political arena, to see the dangers of ignorance and a mob mentality. Intelligence dictates that the health of the globe depends upon the health of its most helpless residents.  Knowledge of and appreciation for the cultures and beauty of others strengthens our characters because this knowledge informs our decision making.  We are more likely to behave in a moral and ethical fashion when we understand the reality of the human condition.

Compassion is essential to character building.  This involves a willingness on the part of the individual, to see beyond his own temporal needs.  Too much of what we desire can be the result of clever marketing and pressure to conform to the false standards of society.  Individuals of great character see what is good for all and behave in a way that places justice and peace within the reach of every individual. It is never easy to compromise what we want in the interest of what is good for all.  A strong character makes this compromise an essential part of decision making.

In our troubled and often confusing world, much is made about success, financial security and position, while little attention is paid to building character. In addition to fostering in our children, a good work ethic and ambition to succeed, we must highlight the importance of character as a necessary virtue.  Imagine a community, in which the focus was placed on moral and ethical behavior instead of income, property and excess of every kind.  Strong character makes for strong individuals.  Strong individuals have the ability to lead the society in a positive direction and to make the global community a world of peace and understanding for all.

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