Character

Our character says a lot about us. What we believe in. Expectations of our behavior. How we will act and react. Indeed, our character is very often a predictor of the consequential outcomes, both good and bad, from our interchange with the world.

I read an interesting article yesterday written by syndicated columnist Thomas Sowell which advances the notion that a nation's character has a far reaching impact beyond general social, economic and political dynamics, a ripple effect, if you will, that directly touches the personal lives of its citizens. It's a symbiotic relationship where culture affects government policies, which in turn, can impact that very culture, for better or worse.

Sowell's column focused on Angelo Codevilla's book, "The Character of Nations," which promotes the thesis that in recent years, American society has engaged in behavior patterns that are producing negative results for our nation's existing entity. And I quote:

"Among these patterns have been a concentration of decision-making power in government officials, an undermining of the role of the family, a 'nonjudgmental' attitude toward behavior and a dissolution of the common bonds that hold a society together, leading to atomistic self-indulgences and group-identity politics that increasingly pits different segments of society against each other...."

This antagonism eventually leads to loss of personal freedom and self-respect; the latter personally, culturally and nationally. Codevilla asserts that "the character of the American way of life is up for grabs perhaps more than ever before".

Which brings me back full circle to the issue of personal character. We are what we believe. We act in alliance with that belief system. We all believe in something. So the questions that beg to be answered are: What do I base my belief system on? Is it based on Truth that does not sway with cultural preferences or political pressure? Does it uplift not denigrate both ourselves and others? Does it shy away from the hard stuff or courageously face it head on? Is it self-indulgent or "other" purposed? What is the way of life that I have chosen to embrace, why and do I strive to consistently honor that choice?

Bottom line ~ What is my footprint on the world?