The truth of your character is determined by the choice of our actions.
Unknown
In April of 1980, a young man, unknown to anyone but his family and friends, began a remakable journey that’s touched the hearts and minds of generations throughout the world. Terry Fox was an ordinary eighteen-year-old when he was diagnosed with osteogenic sarcoma just above the knee. After the amputation of his leg and time in the children’s cancer wards, he realized that more money was needed for cancer research and set out to run across Canada. His goal was to raise $1 for every Canadian.
Less than five months later, Terry’s run came to an end when cancer spread to his lungs. Though he, Terry reached his goal, and more, his legacy spanning the globe.
Forty years om, in a world where a cultivated identity on social media can lead to likes, comments, fame and $$$, the concept of character may seem a little old fashioned. Yet, when a reputation can be made and destroyed on the basis of a single tweet, character may be more needed now than ever.
Character as a theme crops up repeatedly in books like the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The 12 Rules for Life, and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck. There’s a reason these these books are so popular – building on the cornerstones of character simplifies your life, promotes healthy relationships, and acts as a shield to the slings and arrows a public personna can’t avoid.
Integrity
Integrity is the state of holding onself to high moral and ethical standards, even when no one’s looking, and can encompass all the other traits of good character. A person with integrity can be relied on to consistently follow through, keep their word, and treat others with basic respect and common courtesy. When you live with integrity, your actions align with your words and your belief in what is right and good.
Honesty
Honesty is the best policy. Really! If you’ve ever been on the receiving end of a lie, you understand how it destroys trust in relationships. If you’re the one who lied, you know how complicated trying to remember the lie and cover your tracks can make your life. When you’re honest with others, you show respect for them as equals and as individuals. Honesty in both word and action promotes trust and solidifies relationships. While honesty can also sometimes cause pain, it’s a pain most would prefer over deception.
Accountability
There’s a lot of talk these days about rights, but very little about responsibility. Accountability is more than just being a responsible person. It includes the recognition that one has an obligation to others and society as a whole in all areas of life. Being accountable means taking responsibility for your thoughts, words and actions, for the harm they may cause, for making amends when needed, and for fixing what was broke. It also recognizes that, when we encounter events beyond our control, we still have the power to determine how we respond to them.
Compassion
Compassion recognizes the humanity and worth in all persons. Compassion understands that people are more than their circumstances and have within them the power . When we foster compasion, we also develop kindness, empathy, forgiveness, altruism and service.
When you develop character, you don’t need to worry about image, reputation or identity. Who you are will speak for itself. Terry’s story is one of humility, compassion, determination and commitment. Now a household name, his character, more than his cancer, is what he is remembered for.
Your reputation is in the hands of others. That’s what a reputation is. You can’t control that. You can only control your character.
Wayne w. dyer
Life Lessons from Camino de Santiago
Lesson #2 – There is More than One Way
Have you ever embarked on a journey without a road map? Started a project without plan? Whatever your goal, how you get to where you’re going is as important as the destination. There is always more than one way.
On Camino, the way means many things. It can be the road you take. There are seven main routes to Santiago, with dozens of short, alternate paths that move away from and link back up to the main way. Some will even say your way begins on your front doorstep.
The way can also be how you travel the Camino, whether by foot, bicycle, horse, wheelchair or unicycle. I even encountered a couple from Norway walking with a donkey named Ooftey. You may choose to travel alone, with friends, or as part of a group.
The way also refers to your reasons for taking the pilgrimage. Traditionally, Camino was walked for religious or spiritual reasons, to atone for past wrongs and to ask for forgiveness at the Cathedral. This is still the reason many walk but others go for the history and culture, to challenge themselves, to get exercise, to step away from daily life for a while. One friend, who’s walked it six times, goes for the stories of the pilgrims he meets along the road.
Camino is known as The Way – not only the destination but the path itself.
Every year, more than a quarter of a million people travel the road to Santiago and every one of them is walking their own way. Ultimately, like the pilgrims on Camino, the path you walk will be uniquely yours and yours alone.
So how do you want to get from where you are today to where you want to be tomorrow?
You can watch the video here.
Listen to your heart and it will show you the way.
Unknown
Books That Make You Think
Everything is #@%!ed: A Book About Hope – Mark Manson
Have you ever wondered why we don’t do the things we know we should do? The sequel to The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck has the answer.
Everything is #@%!ed touches on one of the key problems within our society today – that while we live in the most peaceful and prosperous time in history, we face the greatest number of mental health and addiction issues ever. Manson challenges our perceptions of politics, religion, ideology, and the tenets we cling to that give us hope in a world where our future looks bleak.
All hope is not lost though, and Manson provides insight into what we can do today to improve our lives for the short time we’re on this earth. Like his first book, Manson takes a no holds barred approach to the greatest issues of our time and provides the answers we need to hear.
If you’ve enjoyed what you’ve read, please like, share or join the conversation. I’d love to get your feedback!
JEANNE M WALSH COACHING 
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