Character is shown by diligence. That is a general rule of our moral universe. Men and women who engage their whole hearts in their work are more likely to prosper, while those who leave half their hearts behind when they go to work are almost sure to fail.
A lazy farmer can’t expect a great harvest anymore than a slothful miner can expect to find gold. An idle student can’t expect top academic grades anymore than a lazy pianist can expect to reach the concert stage. If people want to prosper in business, they must exercise diligence.
Character is shown by diligence, but how often we forget that. How often we encourage idleness in our children, not only by our words, but by our actions. Who are the most useful teachers in your local school? They are the men and women who throw themselves entirely into their teaching. Are they the teachers with the highest degrees; with the latest philosophies at their fingertips? No. The teachers who have the fire of passion and purpose in their teaching, and who sacrificially spend energy and time on our children are the greatest teachers. The greatest teachers may even be parents, and not professionals.
Such people are few. Such people may be scorned by the majority. Such teachers are very rare in the field of character education – where they should be common!
Diligent people do not teach simply to get a paycheck with which to enjoy more leisure. Their minds and words are not centered on what they’re going to do after school, this weekend, or this summer. They teach because they sincerely want to make a difference in children’s lives. They teach with all their hearts.
Diligence exercises itself with three other character traits: perseverance, determination, and commitment. An educator or parent may fail at first; he or she may find a block in teaching a certain concept or principle. But the excellent teacher or parent will say, “There has to be a way. I have to help them understand character. I am determined to get results. I am committed to changing their behavior for the better.” Then that person will invest more time and energy to be an effective mentor.
Are you that kind of parent or educator? Are you diligent in teaching character to young people? Have you invested in a good character education program? Do you invest time in preparing to use that program wisely and well? Are you determined to make character education fun and effective? Have you thrown your heart into the study of preparatory material like the free e-Course, Character Education 101?
Character is shown by diligence, and the children and teenagers in our care are learning daily whether we believe that or not. They see by our actions whether we work as hard as we can to mold their character, or do the minimum in this vital area. They see whether we give ourselves totally to our work, or do the minimum necessary to get paid.
Building diligence takes time, but it is worth every minute we spend on it. The exercise of diligence shows, in every area of life, the degree of character we really have.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?