​​​​​Welcome back to One Marine’s perspective on how to play the game of life. We all have to play, we’re all on the same team, we play by God’s rules, and we win with teamwork. 

Consider these words from Henry Clay Trumbull:

“To possess and to exhibit an admirable personal character is a duty incumbent on everyone. In order to possess such a character, its exhibit by its expression is a necessity. He who does not endeavor to express those traits and qualities which are the exhibit of an admirable personal character, cannot hope to retain such a character, even if it were his by nature; and he who does endeavor to express them, can hope to gain the character which they represent, even though he lacked it before.”

If we heed Henry Trumbull's words, it appears that we can gain and/or retain admirable personal character only by acting like individuals of admirable personal character. So, how does an individual of admirable personal character act? For One Marine, based on his Vietnam War experience, the actions of those who were held captive by the North Vietnamese and subjected to horrendous conditions for many years set the bar quite high.

Listen to Story 1.​

Years ago, we heard a lot about character or, more specifically, character development. Young people were taught to cultivate high character through such behaviors as virtuous living, team playing, and self-sacrifice. However, around the beginning of the twentieth century, the emphasis was shifted from what a person really was and did to what others thought he or she was and did. Terms such as powerful, charismatic, fascinating, and dominant became more popular descriptors of successful individuals. In other words, a person’s reputation seemed to become more important than his or her true character.   

That approach, from all indications, is not working out so well. Perhaps it is time to turn back the clock and address character in the same terms as those of our forefathers. 

The purpose of this discussion is to accomplish that very thing – to look at character from a moral values standpoint. First, we’ll look at What is meant when we talk about character. Then we’ll consider Why we should be concerned about developing moral character. Finally, we will examine How each of us can develop his or her moral character to the benefit of all of God’s creation. 

 ​​                                                          What 

Character is a word we take for granted and probably think we understand, but if asked to define, might find it quite challenging to do. It is a descriptor that most, if not all, of us would like to have etched on our tombstones. Yet, the standards of its attainment are quite elusive in today’s world. So, what do we mean by character? Let’s take a look

In the “old days”, the word character came to be associated with the aggregate of all qualities that shape a person - qualities such as his or her ideas, motives, intentions, behavior, and values. All of these qualities contribute to the shaping and developing of our character. They all have some part in producing that final unique individual into which the totality of our actions ultimately manifests itself. The balance of these qualities within each of us, and the way one or another predominates, is what makes us unique and sets us apart from each other.

Moral character is associated with how our inner essence and outer behavior relate to morality. In times past, it was assumed that the term character referred to one’s moral self and it was impossible to exhibit high character without living a virtuous life. An individual may be non-moral, but then he/she would be considered to be a person of questionable character. To be persons of high moral character, we must discipline ourselves to pursue our lives with true morality.

Character has also been assumed to include a selfless component – a willingness to put the needs of the team above the needs of self. Having character implies being committed to higher values and to sacrificing, if necessary, for the greater good of the team.

Above all, character includes a choice. As was presented in the opening quote, we cannot hope to become individuals of moral character without exhibiting moral behavior, and cannot hope to remain individuals of moral character without continuing to exhibit moral behavior. The final proof of our character is in our actions.

It should be stressed that nothing is more personal than character. Each of us comes into this world with a unique aggregation of raw materials with which our behavior molds us into what we are. Our individual strengths, which are somewhat different for each of us, help us to develop our own unique character.

Character is also a central, important element of leadership, arguably the most critical element in effective leadership development. Character fundamentally shapes how we engage the world around us, what we value, and how we choose to act. 

Listen to Story 2.

Character is what keeps us serving our country through many conflicts, though the costs may be more than we would like to spend. ​Now let's answer the question:​

                                                    Why 

James Davison Hunter gives us a pretty good answer to that question in the following quote:

“And the only way of which we know to uplift the life of the nation and to fit it for its mission and its ministry is to reform our own and other men’s characters, and ourselves to be what manner of man among men we would have the nation be among nations…”

Not only are we responsible for our own character, but we help to shape the character of all with whom we come in  contact. This added responsibility should give us strong motivation to pay close attention to the development of our own character.

Our character is eventually becoming a part of the character of all people everywhere. (And their character is becoming part of our character.) The development of the character of each and every one of us is an ongoing and never-ending process. Both classical and biblical cultures believed that the character of each individual was tied to the health of the society as a whole. One Marine sees no reason to dispute that belief.

If we are not completely satisfied with who we are, what the world is like, and how we contribute our share, we should have strong motivation to work on our character. Character development is the single most important factor in the betterment of ourselves and the world in which we live. And we do not need dramatic events or crises to forge strong character. Our character is a result of how we live our lives – the routine decisions that we make throughout each day. We are remaking ourselves every minute of every day through our thoughts and actions. By infusing our thoughts and actions with the right values, perhaps we will avoid those dramatic events and/or crises.

It is incumbent on each of us to decide who we want to become. Character decisions are the most important factors that help us fulfill our purposes in life. When we learn to manage our daily choices in alignment with strong moral values, we can move confidently toward our worthwhile life’s goals.

Listen to Story 3.

We develop our character so we can help those on our team in their times of need - so that we can be positive forces that make the world a better place. The final question:

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                                                         How 

Our character begins to be shaped from the time we are born and is influenced by where and how we grow up, our religious and academic education, and the examples provided by all who cross our paths. Character cannot develop in an environment in which ethical decisions are forced upon us. Character is a product of choice, resulting from our free will. A choice that is forced cannot be a moral choice and, therefore, cannot be a choice of character.

So long as we live, our characters are in the formative state. Our character traits are continually being developed by those with whom we surround ourselves. Therefore, we should give strong consideration to those with whom we allow ourselves to interact. Surrounding ourselves with people we know and admire only works well if those people have strong moral character.

Character is not something that we have or don’t have. There are degrees, and every situation presents a different opportunity for us to learn and strengthen our character. No one is perfect and given that our character development is a lifelong journey, we will rise to the occasion in some situations and, perhaps, not rise in others. But the greatest influence on our character is that over which we have ultimate control - how we respond to life’s challenges. 

Making character development our focus will involve defining the characteristics we want to possess, identifying the habits that relate to each characteristic, and developing those habits. As we face varying challenges each day and decide how to react, we should remember that well known adage: 

Sow a thought and reap an act.
Sow an act and reap a habit.
Sow a habit and reap a character.
Sow a character and reap a purpose. 

Sow a purpose and reach a destiny.

So, if we think - are convinced in our own minds - that something is right, that is going to lead us to act. And when we keep acting over and over again in the same manner, guess what? We develop a habit. And when we have enough of those right habits, first thing we know, we have good, strong character. And, when our character is strong enough, it will lead us to our purpose. And our purpose defines our destiny. (To be all that we can be.)

Listen to​ Story 4.​

​Well, we've attempted to make a case for What is meant when we talk about character, Why we should be concerned about developing moral character, and How each of us can develop his or her moral character for the benefit of all of our teammates and our God-given playing field - Mother Earth.

Now it's time for each of us to consider the following questions:

          Is my character influencing others for good and helping them build their own power and strength?

          Am I doing my part to be an individual of character and infuse my nation with my vitality?

          How am I improving my character each and every day in order that strong moral character will be my legacy?

Listen to Story 5.​

As George Washington said, “I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man.”

We'll close with more of One Marine's favorite quotes:​

​“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Helen Keller 

“Character is like a tree and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” Abraham Lincoln 

“The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back.” Abigail Van Buren 

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” Kahlil Gibran 

“Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.” Albert Einstein 

“Our character is but the stamp on our souls of the free choices of good and evil we have made through life.” John C. Geikie 

“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” Billy Graham

“Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all.” Sam Ewing

“Where there is righteousness in the heart, there is beauty in the character. When there is beauty in the character, there is harmony in the home. When there is harmony in the home, there is order in the nation. When there is order in the nation, there is peace in the world.” A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.” Charles Spurgeon

“When you choose your friends, don't be short-changed by choosing personality over character.” W. Somerset Maugham

“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” James Anthony Froude

“Sometimes we fall, sometimes we stumble, but we can't stay down. We can't allow life to beat us down. Everything happens for a reason, and it builds character in us, and it tells us what we are about and how strong we really are when we didn't think we could be that strong.” Gail Devers

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