Developing Good Character
Published December 15, 2011
The following article was written by WCS Curriculum Specialist Pat Scruggs. It is part of a special feature in conjunction with Character Under Construction.
Many different phrases are associated with the word “character.” Have you ever heard someone describe another person as being “of the highest character?” A person less admired might be “a shady character.” Sometimes we even refer to someone as just a “character,” usually meaning that person is humorous or entertaining. In spite of these sometimes confusing expressions, most people would agree that developing good character is an important part of becoming a responsible citizen and respected adult. What, then, does it mean to be of “good character?”
A popular classroom poster describes character as “what you do when no one’s looking.” The implication of this statement is that a person of good character does the right thing, even when no one else knows. On the other hand, a person of weak or bad character might do what’s right only when he or she thinks there’s a good chance of being caught doing the wrong thing, resulting in negative consequences or punishment. This saying found on a poster still doesn’t tell us what good character is. Can we define “good character” in more specific terms?
Good character encompasses many qualities: truthfulness, honesty, caring for others, selflessness, dependability, loyalty, holding steadfastly to one’s values and morals, and courage to act on those beliefs. It may seem impossible for an imperfect human being to be all those things all the time. Perhaps it is impossible to be all those things all the time. But what is possible is to make daily decisions based on your best effort to become those things: truthful, honest, caring, selfless, dependable, loyal, guided by the morals and values in which you believe.
When you’re tempted to cheat on that daily quiz because you really did forget to study, you can choose to be honest and accept the consequences of not studying. When you’re tempted to tell your parents “a little white lie” about whose parents are chaperoning the party so they will let you go, you can choose to be truthful and understand that your parents are making decisions based on what they believe is best for you. When you have to decide whether to participate in your service club’s fund-raiser for the local food bank or go to the mall with friends, you can choose the more caring way to use your time and do something to help others.
Good character is not being; it is doing. Good character is about making daily choices that enable others to believe us, to trust us, to depend upon us when help is needed. It is action. It is how we live our lives on a daily basis. Make good choices. Live your life so that there can be no question as to your character. It will be good!