When I was growing up my father would often asign me tasks that made little or no sense to me at the time. When I would complain and ask why I was doing them, his standard response was, "It builds character." It was not until I was an adult and living on my own that I began to understand what this "character" was. I believe that your character or lack thereof is what defines you as a person.
Some people describe character as who you are when no one is looking. Sometimes though, it is who you are when everyone is looking. I further feel that character can best be described as doing the "right thing for the right reasons." In either scenario, alone or in front of the world, it can be difficult to always do the right thing. Sometimes doing the right thing comes at great personal sacrifice to ourselves. However, regardless how painful or uncomfortable it is, doing what you know is right is the best thing you can do.
Over the last three or four days two events have occurred that are perfect examples of good and bad character. The first is an example of poor character. Jay Mariotti is sports writer and part time commentator on ESPN's show "Around the Horn." He is known for being very opinionated and holding sports figures to a very high standard and calling for the "axe" when they make mistakes. This weekend he was arrested and charged with an alleged felony relating to a domestic dispute with his girl-friend. This incident could cause him to lose his writing jobs as well as his guest spots on ESPN. Not to mention the blight on his credibility.
The second event was a perfect example of a display of strong character. Reggie Bush, the running back for the World Champion, New Orleans Saints, forfeited his Heisman Trophy. Reggie Bush won the Heisman Trophy, the highest college football award, in 2005 while playing for USC. However, shortly after he won the award, USC came under fire from the NCAA for various allegations of misconduct. Bush himself was also accused of not meeting the eligibility requirements for the award. Now five years later, Reggie Bush announced that he will be returning the award because he believes it is the right thing to do.
Sometimes no one sees you do the right thing and at other times you have to step up and publicly admit that yes, you may have messed it up once but you are willing to do the right thing. Reggie Bush is doing just that. Only time will tell if Jay Mariotti will do the same. Either way, however Mariotti handles the situation from here out will be an excellent sign of how much character he has.
"Son, you will always feel one of two pains. Either the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret. You can choose which one you will feel."
-My Dad J. Mark Yoder-
Some people describe character as who you are when no one is looking. Sometimes though, it is who you are when everyone is looking. I further feel that character can best be described as doing the "right thing for the right reasons." In either scenario, alone or in front of the world, it can be difficult to always do the right thing. Sometimes doing the right thing comes at great personal sacrifice to ourselves. However, regardless how painful or uncomfortable it is, doing what you know is right is the best thing you can do.
Over the last three or four days two events have occurred that are perfect examples of good and bad character. The first is an example of poor character. Jay Mariotti is sports writer and part time commentator on ESPN's show "Around the Horn." He is known for being very opinionated and holding sports figures to a very high standard and calling for the "axe" when they make mistakes. This weekend he was arrested and charged with an alleged felony relating to a domestic dispute with his girl-friend. This incident could cause him to lose his writing jobs as well as his guest spots on ESPN. Not to mention the blight on his credibility.
The second event was a perfect example of a display of strong character. Reggie Bush, the running back for the World Champion, New Orleans Saints, forfeited his Heisman Trophy. Reggie Bush won the Heisman Trophy, the highest college football award, in 2005 while playing for USC. However, shortly after he won the award, USC came under fire from the NCAA for various allegations of misconduct. Bush himself was also accused of not meeting the eligibility requirements for the award. Now five years later, Reggie Bush announced that he will be returning the award because he believes it is the right thing to do.
Sometimes no one sees you do the right thing and at other times you have to step up and publicly admit that yes, you may have messed it up once but you are willing to do the right thing. Reggie Bush is doing just that. Only time will tell if Jay Mariotti will do the same. Either way, however Mariotti handles the situation from here out will be an excellent sign of how much character he has.
"Son, you will always feel one of two pains. Either the pain of discipline, or the pain of regret. You can choose which one you will feel."
-My Dad J. Mark Yoder-
I just wrote your dad's quote in my journal, Josh. Thank you for that potent reminder.
ReplyDeleteYour post reminds me of the importance of integrity. Austin Baker discussed how all we will have at the end of our lives is our name. I once heard integrity described as a term applied to people who are the same individuals in all rooms in the house of life. We must live authentically and take responsibility for our actions.
P.S. This blog is exactly the space to begin to explore issues relevant to your research project as you have done.
When I had read what Reggie Bush had done, I also thought that his actions were a perfect example of who he was as a person. I'm a strong believer in judging by actions and not by words because people can say a thousand things and end up only doing two of them.
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