Everybody goes with each day added to life, through the process of decimating childhood dreams to be astronomers, astrologists, scientists, astronauts, doctors, nurses, etc. The growing up years open up the window of reality wide enough to allow a close self-examination without illusions and inhibitions, the true quality of one’s strengths and weaknesses. Like at the first sight of blood, I realised I could never become a doctor or be in any manner associated with the health and health services sector- sight of blood made me nervous.
Parents, teachers, siblings, even cousins and friends, all invariably with or without intent influence the thought pattern of what to study? What to pursue as a profession? And how to get to a predetermined destination? These inputs are given based on their personal experiences which are not necessarily universally applicable, hence before blind acceptance, these need to pass through the test filters of one’s own judgement, reasoning and quality of ambition. A lot of time is invested on the prospects of career building. In fact, the concern of any university graduate is restricted to career and its advancement. This addiction when done in isolation is to the neglect of character building.
Character building has over the last seventy-five years or so, due to immense emphasis on worldly materialism which became a major measure or yardstick of success, has begun to take a back seat, not just in educational institutions and societies but also within the family unit. Character building has more or less been consigned to the backyard of unattended areas of life.
We witness the young and adolescent teenagers arguing with teachers and parents, on the justification and need for deviant behaviour, due to its predominance and acceptability within the confines of good families and societies. A stamp of approval is being sought each day through silence and no reaction to corruption and corruptible thoughts that lead to general malaise of organisations too, in addition to the decline and decay of societal values. The irrevocable subscription to the thought that all is fair in war or love, is un-amendable and unmatchable from the TOR’s (Term of Reference) of their lives.
Unlike career; character cannot be built in ease and quiet. The general illusions of longevity of fashion, looks, talent or the better than the rest attitude are all factors that lead towards gradual decline and decay in character. Today, the lack of emphasis on character building at educational institutions adds fuel to the fire of ignobility. I recall at my Roman Catholic school we had a subject titled just simply ‘Morals’; and per week there used to be two sessions of 90 minutes each.
In these sessions, the entire discussion was skewed towards character building; a general dislike for contemptible behaviour was induced in our young minds; anecdotes and parables centred around zero compromise towards honesty, morality of purpose and refusal to trade off good traits against worldly allurements. This was done to ensure that through the cause of character development, the emerging personality would be one of pristine and pure quality. Personality development wasn’t ever allowed to take precedence over character development. This train of thought and action was never a negotiable concept.
In these days and times, the converse has happened, in educational institutions, family and societies. Consequently, we see those possessing great personality developed “personified” individuals falling extremely short of the standards and lofty ideals of character. It is so muddled, convoluted and murky, the behavioural standards that those indulgent towards corruption turn around and ask, ‘what are we guilty of?’ The thin line that divided goodness from evil stands submerged under the waters of illusion. Keep the character, give me worldly delights, is an appealing slogan to those good on personality but extremely bankrupt on character.
In the hot pursuit of career objectives and economic benefits every now and then there is loss of focus on character development. A question that tends to get ignored is what would last longer? Let me admit to my younger audience in particular that on many starry nights I wonder what would be lasting? The corporate position acquired or the character assessment sheet of mine that each of the person I encounter, everyday fills up with no knowledge of its contents to me. Therefore, the focus of pursuit should be where? I wonder. A difficult predicament. No man is born angel. But all are born with angelic innocence, with distinctive mark of honour and character.
No infant is deviant in character- the deficiencies in character are not inherent but are mostly acquired negative traits which the wheel of life keeps out churning. Opposed to this, the in-born innocence can contrastingly also be further improved and fortified only if the child is fed and guided through continuous holding of hands by parents and teacher with the highest standards and traits of character and behaviour. It is not enough to look at the world as a “good stand for business.
You are to ask, is it good stand for manhood for developing career?” To Goethe’s remark, the important thing in life is to have a great aim and to possess the aptitude and perseverance to attain it; I would like to add ‘with sound character base’. The will to labour is one significant ingredient of character building that leads towards becoming a major factor for career development. Failure due to lack of talent is less damaging and hurtful than due to lack of character.
Misfortunes and setbacks tame us all, but also amongst us are great and enlightened minds of character and virtue, who always rise above it. Eagles do not breed doves. Nature, character and evil possessed behaviour can never be concealed. The pupil of the eye, by the Grand design of Nature, cannot mask the quality of character - it may out of sheer expedient duplicity betray, both the good and unethical behaviour - Loss of character is only, once.
The end of life is not happiness but character is. Each colleague needs to maintain faith and trust in the reliability and nobility of other colleagues at the work place.
It is the duty of each citizen to ensure graceful and noble responses, especially in critical times. “To compose own is our duty character not merely to compose books, arise to win not battles and provinces, but order and tranquillity in our conduct. (Michael de Montague).
Character must be kept safe for it is not reversible. Character and conduct are not dreams or imagination; both require perseverance in thought. Character is truly discovered when any individual is empowered. In my career I have seen the newly promoted or inducted going without fear or shame and anxiety extremely berserk in their handling of worse. To the environment you smell exactly what the vessel of your body contain, if it is goodness the smell is good too and if filled with impurities, the state is all revealed.
Reputation is what others think of you…… Character is what you think of yourself…… How much time do individuals and corporates spend on reputational management ----- but in undertaking introspection of character very little time is invested? Look at the mirror, intently, what does it say, Noble and poor or vulgar and corrupted!
The writer is a senior banker and freelance columnist
