The 5 Must-Have Character Traits

Each week, on a Wednesday morning, I am the invited guest on our local radio station. Usually, I take a life issue and give some advice on how people can address it. This week I addressed an issue that is relevant to us all. And as I was thinking about each of our students around Australia I was struck by how relevant it might be for us all. 

ABOUT CHARACTER

Character is who we really are. A person’s character is not changed by adversity - it’s revealed by it! But how a person deals with success is as much a glimpse into their character as adversity is. Success can sometimes mean that a person is deprived of the advantage of daily struggles. And it is in those times when a person is not compelled to do anything that their true character is also often revealed. This might seem counter-intuitive because many of think that when we have plenty of time, talents and treasure we can become a better person. But our available time, talents, and treasure does not limit or grow our character. Yet, our character can limit or grow our time, talents and treasure! A person can change their character - to either improve or damage it.

THE 5 “MUST-HAVE” CHARACTER TRAITS

#5 - Humility: 

Virtuous character starts with humility. It takes humility to admit your real needs, your mistakes, and to accept a realistic view of yourself.

#4 - Teachability: 

You can have the best teachers in the world, but not be teachable, and you won’t learn much. Conversely, if you are teachable it’s amazing what you can learn. How easy are you to correct?

#3 - Consideration: 

People who learn to be considerate of others make themselves very attractive. Considerate people invariably become thankful people. Thankful people can not avoid being happy people.

#2 - Preparation: 

It takes developed character strength to prepare well. For athletes this means early mornings pounding the pavement or hours of lonely times in the gym. For students this means making sacrifices to not be out with friends so that they can study. 

#1 - Perseverance: 

Virtuous character culminates in pleasant perseverance. Many people start things but only a few start and finish the same things. Whether it’s a book, a diet, an exercise regime, a marriage, or a course of study, perseverance is required. 

If you take steps to develop these five ‘must-have’ character traits you position yourself to maximise not only your happiness and sense of significance, but also your time, talents, and treasure.

Andrew

Mountain Goat Living

Mountain goats aren't very sociable. Who's ever heard of a flock of mountain goats? No. Mountain goats are rather solitary creatures. I guess they're also rather proud as well. They no doubt think they have good reason to be proud. After all, they can traverse steep terrain like nothing else. They are so sure-footed, they can ascend up a lofty mountain ridge that would almost certainly mean death for even the most experienced mountaineer. Mountain goats must consider themselves the king of their mountain domain. But mountain goats may be solitary, talented, and regally proud, yet even they know something many lesser-qualified humans know...

The high mountains are for the wild goats;

Psa. 104:18a

When a mountain goat is coming up a steep razor's ridge when he confronts another mountain goat coming down the same ridge - his pride tells him "Don't give an inch!" But his mountain-smarts says something else. Acting on his pride would mean certain death for him and his fellow ugly. But doing something that doesn't come naturally, will ensure that he can continue to lay claim to the title: King of the Mountain. He must lie down and let the other goat walk over him. This act more resembles what a dumb sheep would do rather than what a kingly bovid.

There are some situations in life that are like this. We can choose to not give an inch and die as a result. Or, we can lay down our pride and live on. Even the toughest goats must behave like sheep sometimes in order to live.

In describing the Final Day, Jesus said that He would separate sheep from goats. For someone, who all too often acts like a mountain goat, Christ's approbation of sheep on the day the counts like no other is a warning to the like of me that I cannot continue to act like a goat - especially when it comes to how I treat others on life's high ridge moments. I'm sure it's not comfortable to have another goat walk over you, but then I guess it's less comfortable to have six inch nails driven through your naked wrists and ankles as you give up - not just Your back - but Your whole life for undeserving and often ungrateful goats.


The next time you "butt" heads with someone, you might want to remember this little detour into the world of mountain goats.


Ps. Andrew Corbett
3rd February 2012 writing from Legana