How Is Your Character?

What a great time to be living in! We are so lucky to have the opportunities we have at this point in history. These possibilities are mind boggling when you think about them.

Think about the internet, and how the world is at your feet while sitting in your own home! Think about the iPhone, and all the applications that are available; it seems that the only thing the iPhone can’t do is to have sex with you…but wait, I heard there is someone creating an app for that too!

At the same time that we have these terrific technological advances, we have to work a little harder to preserve our humanity, and make sure our character doesn’t suffer. I love the word “character,” because it reminds me of something you might see discussed in the 1950’s or early 1960’s. Today, you almost never hear someone talking about another person’s character. It seems that the defining items for a person today have very little to do with character, and a lot to do with possessions or “superficial shine.”

I was recently watching a talk show that interviewed one of the several siblings. I had honestly never heard of this person, but I think they are part of some reality tv show. This is what I am talking about, and the vacuity of this person was so obvious – yet people seem to be clamoring for more and more of this. What comes to mind is an old term that caused lots of trouble for some people in Mao’s China: “cult of personality.” I was also in stitches recently watching a tv commercial for shampoo, or something like that, where an actor confessed that he couldn’t survive without his “go to” people. What pampered poodles we are creating!!!

With all this stuff being hurled at us all the time, our own individual character gets impacted. We can sometimes forget what is really important, since so much junk is being circulated out there, and is being given real attention and importance by many people. So how can we stay focused and keep it real? Here are a few tips:

1. Start to limit your exposure to television.
2. Turn off, or at least limit , texting and phone calls when “in real time” with other PEOPLE.
3. Create quiet time each day for yourself with no electronic interruptions.
4. Try and think less about yourself, and your needs.
5. Help one person with one thing once a day without any expectations.

That’s all for now – have a great day!