Character Is Destiny

1. Character is destiny: Our choices shape who we become

It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy. That is all that really passes for destiny. And you choose it. No one else can give it to you or deny it to you.

Character defines us. Our choices, not circumstances, ultimately determine our fate. While we cannot control every event in our lives, we can control our responses. These responses, over time, shape our character and influence our destiny.

Virtues to cultivate:

• Honesty
• Respect
• Authenticity
• Loyalty
• Dignity
• Idealism
• Responsibility

Impact of character:

• Shapes our relationships
• Determines our success and happiness
• Influences how others perceive and treat us
• Provides strength during adversity

2. Honor is rooted in authenticity, loyalty, and dignity

She was not an easy man to scare, and an even harder man to force any indignity on.

Authenticity breeds respect. Being true to oneself, even in the face of adversity, commands admiration. Loyalty to one's principles and maintaining dignity under pressure are hallmarks of an honorable character.

Examples of honorable figures:

• Thomas More - Stood by his principles even when faced with execution
• Joan of Arc - Remained authentic to her beliefs despite persecution
• Sir Ernest Shackleton - Demonstrated unwavering loyalty to his crew
• Viktor Frankl - Maintained dignity in the face of unimaginable suffering

These individuals show that honor is not about accolades or social status, but about staying true to one's values and treating others with respect, regardless of circumstances.

3. Purpose drives us to pursue idealism and responsibility

I don't believe in destiny. We are not born to become one thing or another, left to follow helplessly a course that was charted for us by some unseen hand, a mysterious alignment of the stars that pulls us in a certain direction, bestowing happiness on some and misfortune on others.

Purpose is self-created. We are not destined for a predetermined fate, but rather have the power to shape our own purpose. This involves embracing idealism - striving for what could be, not just accepting what is - and taking responsibility for our actions and their consequences.

Key aspects of purpose-driven living:

• Setting meaningful goals
• Taking initiative
• Persevering through challenges
• Contributing to something larger than oneself
• Accepting responsibility for outcomes

Examples:

• Sojourner Truth - Fought tirelessly for abolition and women's rights
• Pat Tillman - Gave up NFL career to serve his country
• John Wooden - Dedicated his life to mentoring and developing young athletes

4. Strength comes from courage, self-control, and resilience

Your best teachers, of course, are your parents. From their example, even more than their instruction, you will first learn to love virtue.

Internal strength is cultivated. True strength isn't about physical prowess, but about developing inner qualities that allow us to face life's challenges with grace and determination.

Components of inner strength:

• Courage - Facing fears and standing up for what's right
• Self-control - Mastering impulses and emotions
• Resilience - Bouncing back from setbacks and failures

Examples of strength in action:

• Edith Cavell - Showed courage by helping Allied soldiers escape during WWI
• George Washington - Demonstrated self-control in leading the Continental Army
• Abraham Lincoln - Exhibited resilience in the face of personal and national tragedies

Developing these qualities often starts with the examples set by parents and mentors, but ultimately requires personal commitment and practice.

5. Understanding requires faith, compassion, and forgiveness

We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. . . . everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.

Empathy unlocks understanding. True comprehension of others and the world around us requires more than intellectual knowledge. It demands faith in human potential, compassion for others' struggles, and the ability to forgive transgressions.

Key elements of deep understanding:

• Faith - Belief in something greater than oneself
• Compassion - Genuine concern for others' wellbeing
• Forgiveness - Letting go of resentment and blame

Examples:

• Christian Guard at Hua Lo Prison - Showed compassion to prisoners
• Maximilian Kolbe - Sacrificed his life out of faith and compassion for others
• Nelson Mandela - Demonstrated forgiveness towards his former oppressors

These qualities allow us to connect with others on a profound level, fostering mutual understanding and growth.

6. Good judgment balances fairness, humility, and gratitude

I have never tried . . . to help cultivate the cultivated classes. I was not equipped for it either by native gifts or training. And I never had any ambition in that direction, but always hunted for bigger game—the masses. I have seldom deliberately tried to instruct them, but I have done my best to entertain them, for they can get instruction elsewhere.

Wisdom requires balance. Good judgment isn't about always being right, but about approaching situations with fairness, humility, and gratitude. This balanced perspective allows for more nuanced and effective decision-making.

Components of good judgment:

• Fairness - Treating others equitably and without prejudice
• Humility - Recognizing one's own limitations and fallibility
• Gratitude - Appreciating what one has and the contributions of others

Examples:

• Martin Luther King Jr. - Advocated for fairness and justice with humility
• Dwight D. Eisenhower - Led with humility and gratitude for those he commanded
• Mark Twain - Used humor to highlight societal issues, showing both wisdom and humility

Good judgment allows us to navigate complex situations, make ethical decisions, and maintain positive relationships with others.

7. Creativity thrives on aspiration and excellence

I have had a 'call' to literature, of a low order—i.e. humorous. It is nothing to be proud, but it is my strongest suit.

Creativity fuels progress. Aspiration drives us to imagine new possibilities, while the pursuit of excellence pushes us to realize those visions. Together, these qualities foster innovation and artistic expression.

Elements of creative success:

• Aspiration - Setting ambitious goals and dreaming big
• Discernment - Recognizing quality and potential
• Enthusiasm - Approaching tasks with passion and energy
• Excellence - Striving for the highest standards in one's work

Examples:

• Ferdinand Magellan - Aspired to circumnavigate the globe
• Leonardo da Vinci - Pursued excellence across multiple disciplines
• Aung San Suu Kyi - Creatively resisted oppression through non-violent means

Creativity isn't limited to traditionally "artistic" pursuits. It's a mindset that can be applied to problem-solving, leadership, and personal growth in any field.

Last updated: October 24, 2024