Vice. Virtue. Right. Wrong.
Heady topics that have kept the brightest minds busy for as long as humanity has possessed the ability to ponder.
But when we look past the theory, one reality remains:
Character is expressed & reinforced through the actions we take.
Put another way – character is a habit.
Intention matters. Our intentions precede our behaviour, nudging us towards certain courses of action over others.
Left unchecked, they can become a silent guide that leads us onwards to an inevitable final destination.
The key point here is “left unchecked“. Without that qualifier, the ideas of free will & independent choice cease to exist.
People possess the unique ability to not only be driven by underlying forces, but to critically analyse them as well.
We may find ourselves driven by impulse, conditioning, past decisions, or forces we feel are beyond our control…
But in most cases, the final say remains with us.
There’s a gap between stimulus and response (however slight it might be) that gives a chance to look at what lies ahead, and consciously choose whether we want to move towards it.
Taking personal responsibility for our actions doesn’t eliminate the need for systemic reform. Our environments should be designed to support whatever outcomes we’ve come together to achieve. But even when they’re slowing us down or dragging us backwards, we still have the ability to choose better.
If we can remember that we can shape the world around us – just as it tries to shape us – through our individual & collective choices, we’re far more equipped to handle anything that lies throws our way.
It’s a virtuous cycle:
- Choice produces character.
- Character creates change.
- Change provides a better environment for everyone within it.
- Better environments support more aligned choices.
It begins and ends with choice.
It may not happen overnight. But it’s reinforced every day through our consistent commitment to choosing better.