It’s been more than a year since readers began asking for my autograph on books. At first, I didn’t know what to write. I simply signed my name. I knew, from autographed books I purchased, that authors usually wrote something, but what? I don’t believe in wishing “good luck” since there is much more behind our daily lives than mere luck. “Sincerely” sounded stilted, and although “all the best” was better, it still wasn’t what I wanted. I looked for quotations of famous authors, but none of them conveyed what I wanted to say to my readers. Finally, I decided to create my own, copyrighted “tag line” for autographs:
“Build carefully, for the character you build will eventually build you.” Elizabeth Hamilton.
That became my autograph. “Some readers will gloss over it, and receive little benefit,” I thought. But I hoped some would take it to heart. I hoped some would decide to implement it in their lives. I still hope that, and as I wrote my copyrighted tag line this morning on two Character-in-Action® series books, I thought about the teens that would read it.
“Build carefully, for the character you build will eventually build you.” What does it mean?
“Character building” and “building character” are common phrases in our language. We all have a general idea of their meaning. The phrases draw a picture. We see laborers erecting a wall. They lift each block of that wall from a pile, a list of character traits. Responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, integrity, honesty, compassion, etc. Like blocks of marble, each is lifted carefully into place, aligned with the others. Each is painstakingly secured with the mortar of goals, repetition, and desire to make it our own. Finally, with consistent, determined effort, we surround ourselves with a wall of character.
“Build carefully, for the character (wall) you build will eventually build you.” You have built around you a wall of character? How strong is it? It will be tested, you know.
That block of honesty you laid may be small or large. Its size, and the tenacity of the mortar that holds it, will build you into a man or woman who can be trusted with great things – or seldom trusted.
The block of responsibility you chose may possess the hardness of diamonds or the softness of talc. It may be a 10 or only a 1 on Moh’s hardness scale. If it is a 10, it will build you into a person of great value in whatever position you fill. If you are a parent, you will be a highly responsible parent, doing what is best for your family. If you are a CEO, you will be of extreme value to your company, working to the utmost of your ability.
“Build carefully, for the character you build will eventually build you.” The character you build becomes a fortress. It protects you from the weak life distinguished by a lack of character. It also can provide you with a greater measure of safety, health, and love. In many cases, though not all, it is the means of attaining greater financial stability. Building character in a haphazard manner eventually builds you into a person who lacks plan, order, or direction in life. You cannot be trusted with great things, for you have not built greatly.
The choice is yours. How are you building character?
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?