What Characters Teach Us about Character

Home
>
Attraction
>
What Characters Teach Us about Character

What Characters Teach Us about Character

Character is that which defines us; it's what people will remember about us long after we're gone. The TV News, Radio Talk Shows, News-Magazines and the daily Paper are replete with stories about characters. [My favorite short story/play of all time was written by the great Italian Poet Luigi Pirandello ? "Sei Caratteri in Cerca di un Autore" or "Six Characters in Search of an Author."] These characters come in all sizes, hail from different parts of the country and can be found in many institutions. You may have known them as once successful businessmen, politicians, doctors, and lawyers or so called sports heroes. Temporary success is their common bond, as is total disregard for ethics or for other people.

These characters would have you believe that character doesn't matter. You've heard the expression: "If it feels good, just do it." This is the character's mantra. This statement would make sense if we add on the Jeffersonian clause "?provided it doesn't interfere with the freedom or rights of others." Whenever one takes action which infringes on the freedom or rights of others it is necessarily wrong. So why is it then that so many characters deny the obvious? Power, blind ambition and/or money is the answer. Shakespeare made a career writing about characters who rose to lofty positions or aspired to, taking whatever means necessary to achieve their nefarious ends. In each case however, they fall faster than they rose and bring shame and ridicule to their families or worse. Shakespeare's characters might be regarded as role models for today's characters. Once one loses the trust of others it is very difficult to regain that trust and he or she becomes ostracized. Aside from serious jail time most industries have strict prohibitions preventing the criminal from even attempting a come back. Think about some of these fellows. When their names are tossed about are their achievements the first thing that comes to your mind or is their infamy?

Being a man of good character sometimes means not doing what you would like to do or doing whatever feels good but rather it requires you "do the right thing." The right thing is often difficult and sometimes separates you from your friends. Being an individual of good character distinguishes you however, it tells the world you are strong and courageous and not shy about rising above the crowd. A man of good character doesn't shirk responsibility. He leads by example and is admired and respected by others. A man of good character can look himself in the mirror morning and night and be proud. Choose to distinguish yourself from the crowd for as Paul Newman, actor and humanitarian said: "If you don't have enemies, you don't have character." To learn more about me visit my website lunchbagnotes.com.

Ann Marie is a recent graduate of Cal Lutheran University. She majors in elementary education and expects to begin a teaching career in the fall. She is also the co-author of two books and has written several articles on the parent-teenager relationship.

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Obama names special watchdog for federal spending (AP)

AP - President-elect Barack Obama said Wednesday that reforming massive government entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare would be "a central part" of his effort to control federal spending. Obama made the pledge but provided few details as he named Nancy Killefer as his administration's chief performance officer, creating a new White House position aimed at eliminating government waste and improving efficiency.

Israeli strikes, Hamas rockets resume after pause (AP)

AP - Israeli airstrikes and Hamas rockets resumed after a brief pause Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach Palestinian civilians in Gaza, where an Israeli warplane dropped leaflets urging some residents to flee because of imminent attacks.

Burris expects to join Senate 'very shortly' (AP)

AP - Roland Burris said Wednesday he should be able to join the Senate "very shortly," after talking to newly supportive Democratic leaders and working on lingering legal obstacles. Talking to reporters on the second day of a Washington power odyssey that would intimidate many, the 71-year-old Burris declared himself happy and said he was pleased with his meeting with Sens. Harry Reid and Dick Durbin.

Obama hails 'extraordinary' moment with presidents (AP)

AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.

Army apologizes for hurtful message to survivors (AP)

AP - The Army said Wednesday that 7,000 family members of soldiers killed in the Iraq or Afghan wars mistakenly were sent letters addressing them as "John Doe." Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr., was sending a personal letter to all the families who received the improperly addressed letters as the result of a printing error, the Army said.

Drug from genetically engineered goats a first (AP)

AP - You've heard of making cheese from goats' milk, but prescription drugs? In what would be a scientific first, an anti-clotting drug made from the milk of genetically engineered goats moved closer to government approval Wednesday after experts at the Food and Drug Administration reported that the medication works and its safety is acceptable.

Mississippi has highest teen birth rate, CDC says (AP)

AP - Mississippi now has the nation's highest teen birth rate, displacing Texas and New Mexico for that lamentable title, a new federal report says. Mississippi's rate was more than 60 percent higher than the national average in 2006, according to new state statistics released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The teen birth rate for that year in Texas and New Mexico was more than 50 percent higher.

Brad Pitt says he was faithful to Jennifer Aniston (AP)

AP - Brad Pitt insists he didn't cheat on Jennifer Aniston with Angelina Jolie. In a story posted on W magazine's Web site, the 45-year-old actor defends both women and says his relationship with Jolie didn't begin until after he and Aniston split in 2005.

Pa. man opens neighbor's door with chain saw (AP)

AP - An eastern Pennsylvania man may face up to 37 years in prison for tearing open a neighbor's door with a chain saw. Police say 34-year-old Robert Kane began sawing through the front door of Jamie Zaleski's apartment in Scranton while Zaleski and several friends ran out the back.

Jason Giambi returns to roots with Oakland A's (AP)

AP - Jason Giambi is returning to his professional baseball roots with the Oakland Athletics. Giambi and the A's finalized a $5.25 million, one-year contract with an option Wednesday, bringing the free-agent designated hitter and first baseman back to the place he began his big league career. The sides had reached a preliminary agreement earlier this week but Giambi still needed to complete the obligatory physical for the deal to get done.

Budget deficit to hit $1.2 trillion in FY2009 (Reuters)

Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, presenting President-elect Barack Obama with a daunting economic challenge.

Israel, Hamas briefly hold fire to allow Gaza aid (Reuters)

Reuters - Hundreds of embattled Palestinians ventured outside to shop for food on Wednesday during a three-hour Gaza truce, a first step toward an Egyptian-proposed ceasefire under discussion by Israel and Hamas.

Union gears up for negotiations with GM and Chrysler (Reuters)

Reuters - United Auto Workers bargaining teams are arriving this week in Detroit as the union gears up for negotiations with General Motors Corp and Chrysler LLC, which are mandated to cut labor costs under a $17.4 billion federal bailout.

Senate Democrats seen moving to seat Burris (Reuters)

Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Senate Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday about swearing in former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris, nominated by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate.

Salmonella outbreak sickens 388 across U.S.: CDC (Reuters)

Reuters - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.

Private job losses mount, ominous for payrolls (Reuters)

Reuters - Job losses and plans to lay off workers hammered the struggling U.S. economy in the final month of 2008, according to private reports that could foreshadow surprisingly grim labor market data from the government on Friday.

Gates says Afghan surge may cost $5.5 billion in FY09 (Reuters)

Reuters - Defense Secretary Robert Gates has told Congress that a planned buildup of U.S. forces in Afghanistan could add $5.5 billion to U.S. war costs in the current federal fiscal year, officials said on Wednesday.

U.S. says Madoff sent diamonds in violation of bail (Reuters)

Reuters - One of the packages accused swindler Bernard Madoff sent in violation of a court order contained about 13 watches, a diamond necklace and other valuables worth more than $1 million, prosecutors said in court papers released on Wednesday.

Israel approves tougher war on Hamas (AFP)

AFP - Israel on Wednesday approved an even tougher war on Hamas, warning residents to flee southern Gaza ahead of planned bombardments of cross-border tunnels, as the Palestinian death toll passed 700.

Kremlin lays down terms as gas crisis engulfs Europe (AFP)

AFP - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday laid down terms for a resumption of Russian gas shipments via Ukraine to Europe as tens of thousands of Europeans suffered heating cuts amid freezing weather.

What Characters Teach Us about Character

Attraction Attraction