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Before we begin: Although clothes do not 'make' the person, wearing a "hoodie" does say a couple of things about your character. You may think that it looks "cool" but in fact you are giving off the message that you either want to hide something or that you have very low self-esteem. Take it off and hold your head up high!
"The youth who does not look up will look down;
and the spirit that does not soar is destined perhaps to grovel."DisraeliLesson 1: Your first and foremost responsibility is to make sure you attend school and learn what you are taught to the best of your ability. Listen to your teachers and give them the respect that is due to them. Observe and obey the rules of your school and set yourself the goal of gaining an education while you are there.
Your parents have enough to worry about ensuring that you have clothes on your back, food in your stomach and a roof over your head. They don't need the extra worry of whether you are fulfilling your responsibility by being at school, learning all that your can and avoiding mixing with the wrong crowd.
Now, lets find out a bit more about what character is all about and how it can help you live a more happy and successful life.
Character, by definition means - the combination of qualities which distinguishes an individual; the quality of moral strength or integrity.
From the first part of this definition it is clear that you could have (in the eyes of others) either a good character or the type of character or personality that is undesirable.
The qualities that distinguish the difference is described in the second part of the definition and can be said to be like "habits".
If you develop bad habits, they may become second nature to you and part of your life but they are easily recognized by others every day - this is what give individuals a "name" for themselves.
If you develop the opposite to bad habits - "qualities of moral strength and integrity" - these too can become part of your life and recognized by other people, but unlike bad habits, they don't just grow on you, they need to be nurtured in order to grow - Like plants, they need to be tended to every day and given attention - fertilised, watered, weeded (taking out the bad habits), and cared for.
Character development must be desired by the individual - you. A farmer that doesn't want to grow crops will end up with a field of weeds - if you do not sow you can not reap the harvest - it's that simple.
This is where the first of the virtues comes in -
Responsibility and in this case it applies to:
personal responsibility for how you live your life
the basis of character development.From what you have learned so far, can you see that the development of character must be a choice on your part.
You must make a determined effort to develop and nurture it.
Good character won't just "grow" on you by itself.
Just like the farmer - if you want it to grow, you must take on the responsibility to make it happen and this will involve removing the weeds - bad habits - by yourself. No-one else can do it for you.
In your garden of character the types of plants you will be wanting to grow and nurture include:
Responsibility Honesty and Sincerity
Reliability and Faithfulness
Respect
(for authority, the law and the rights and property of others)Empathy
(Understanding how your actions affect others and how they feel)Fairness and Unselfishness
Kindness and Compassion
Patience
Self-control
Generosity
Courtesy
Integrity
The list goes on...and will continue to be built upon.All of these are the qualities of Good Character and should be sought after in other people that you associate with and to be built within yourself.
Lesson 2: Let's take a look at how you can nurture another quality of good character, Respect.
You can show respect for others simply by addressing them in a manner that they would appreciate.
If the person is your teacher, call them either by their proper name, Mr Smith, Miss Jones, as examples, or call them Sir or Miss. Do not call them by their first name and remember to address them correctly when you say hello or ask a question. Any other manner of address is disrespectful and a reflection of your character.
If the person is your parent, call them Mum or Dad. Never show disrespect for either of your parents. They brought you into the world and have cared for you.
Do not get into the bad habit of calling other people by 'names'. Always think of how you would feel if you were to be called the same and discourage others who have fallen into this habit. By doing this, you are not only showing respect for the other person but you are also developing empathy and courtesy, other trait of good character (see above).
Therefore, if you can follow these simply guidelines and stick to them, you would be on your way to developing three principles of good character and you will being to feel good about yourself, gaining self-esteem, and the rest will fall into place as you then concentrate on the other virtues.
Build upon these first lessons in the four virtues mentioned, Responsibility, Respect, Empathy and Courtesy. Think of other ways in which you can display each of them and how they tie in with other virtues and you will be on your way with the basis to nurture the rest in due time.
Remember: Principles of good character are habits that need to be developed. Put these principles to use every day and they WILL become habits that will automatically replace any bad habits you have.
Visit and register in the discussion forum on character development and the part you should be playing in the establishment of character education in your school and community.
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(www.cepnz.co.nz)
