Building Character And Integrity

It has been a fact that character is defined by what you do when you think no one is watching.  An illuminating concept but still a fact.

Each one of us have classified our images- it may have been for publcity or private. Some areas are kept where we dont want the world to see. Basically, we hid it and tend to deny this aspects where the society can learn about it. Greed, jealousy, lust, pathetic, fear and etc are one of these traits we don't want the world to know about it. Even our weakness are put aside and hidden within ourselves.  No one needs to know that we can consume a 20 plates in 1 meal, right? :)

Most people are careful with their core, trying to pretend to be someone "good"- decent, loving, compassionate and generous. However, even those we admire and think that they are good people- they are also capable of doing some unspeakable acts. Many times we heard a convicted murdrer's family member or friend say, "I just can't beliee he would be capable of something like that. It's so unlike him." This portrays that the killer's identity to the world is unlike to what he is completely inside of him.



I am not saying that we are murderers inside, yet even those people who considered to be "good people" such as government official, mostly people that has power within the community often think of nothing but to steal, cheat, worse is to take advantage with the power and authority they have. If you notice this kind of lifestyle,, what question would come up in your mind. Maybe, you'll probably ask if what people would say about your own character? Is it wrong only if you get caught?



Have you tried thinking of something that you probably would have done if no one see you? Would you feel embarassed for yourself? Or would you feel embarass if someone sees you and brought to the public? Did you just act because you are a hundred percent sure that no one would ever find out?

I've been thinking a lot about this concept; comparing about "sin" and "escape". In every religion, sin has been our enemy and which it definitely displeases God. We have our commandments that warn us against different types of sins. But if you live with that commandment, you will surely remain in God's good graces. In most cases, we believe on commandment that sum up all of them: Harm None; that covers all in just two words. Simple but hard to follow, when you are thinking that "do nothing that would cause harm to yourself or another."when our behaviour are that so curious.

We're not perfect, and no one expect that from us. We all commit mistakes, and do things that can put us to shame. We are humans after all, but we should learn how to defin the difference between making a mistake, and purposely doing something we know is wrong. Sometimes we try to make fools to ourselves and justify our own actions. Thus, we need to try to be perfect, at least we've tried and not just let things happen. One of our greatest gift in life is Free Will, and other times been our greatest curse. Every actions have a corresponding consequences, whether would come at every instant or later.

In the end, it's a matter of personal accountability and awareness for self improvement and discipline. We need to classify and be classified whether we want to be a person of good character or not. It doesn't matter if we get caught or not, but what matters is our actions will speak of who we are. If you take something that it is not yours, then you are a thief. If you cheat your spouse, then you commit adultery. Always remember that the truth has its own way making itself known and visible to the world.