Character

I received a reminder that things are not always as they appear to be, and granted there is a time and place for everything. A joke is not always funny or appreciated especially when the joke happens to come slamming right back at you making your ego bleed like a broken nose!

There is a difference between having character and being a character, and I was caught being a character at the expense of my character and I am troubled to no end by it. It hurts to be wrong. What is worse, it hurts to be so very wrong that it gives you a headache, a stomach ache and upsets the delicate balance of your day.

There are six pillars to the evolution of character which are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. And it only seems logical that in order to build upon your character that each of these facets need to be steadfastly adhered to at all times and not just some of the time.

There is something to be said about character - it isn't just doing things right - it's knowing that there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things and that time and time again your record shows that you have always done the right thing. As an NCO, I try constantly to edge my character - it is part of my psyche that I am always trying to evolve because if there is one person on this Earth that despises failure more than I do, I'd be looking at him in a mirror.

I have taken a hit on my character and the damage control is not going to be easy. It creates more problems on top of all the problems I already have here. The reminder I have been given is "crystal clear" in that it does not matter whether or not I get a laugh at the expense of someone else - what counts is that I am dependable and an asset at all times and never faltering or compromising my ability, position or service.

I have broken my trust and my character at the sake of being a character. What it all boils down to is if you want to act like a fool, that is exactly how you will be seen and treated. Apologies are accepted and clarity is achieved by knowing the limits and not trying to push them beyond any boundaries. This has all been a giant step backward in my immediate evolutionary chain of events and not something that I am proud of in any way, shape or form.

The true challenge of anyone's character is their ability to bounce back in the face of adversity, admit their mistakes, learn NOT to repeat them, and also know their respective limits. I have been given a reminder and I thank those folks who have given me this reminder. It shows that they too are involved and care about my character and my development and that they do not want to see me fall on my face time and time again. I understand that it really isn't about them or their reputations, because there isn't an "I" in team - it is a group effort and something that I do appreciate even though the long face would tell you other wise.

Character does count - even in a world that makes heroes out of criminals and saints out of sinners. What is more, I have been reminded that my character does count, and that should make all the difference in the long run!

(Originally published 12 April 2006 on the blog "The Curbside Philosopher")