Yesterday, while reading about the International Consumer Electronics Show, I noticed that the buzzwords for consumer electronics in 2006 are supposed to be “content everywhere.” In other words, the plethora of electronic gadgets introduced at that show is aimed at making men and women content, no matter where they are.
Manufacturers are creating ways for us to access movies, music, and television wherever we go: in cars, camping, hiking, at the beach, etc. They are making small handheld gadgets that are rather like the traditional Swiss Army knives – they do everything. In just one piece of equipment, you get a phone, a camera, a camcorder, music, GPS locator, and personal assistant. You can be content everywhere with that, or so they want us to believe.
Contentment, however, does not radiate from gadgets, no matter how ingenious they are. Contentment is a trait of character. You can find its meaning in the Character Builder Newsletter archives. In the same place, you can read more about its development and how to strengthen it in your life.
Men and women of character can be content everywhere, but they attain that goal through moral excellence. Their contentment is not in danger of going out of style next year, when new and more ingenious gadgets will be introduced. Moral excellence never goes out of style. Their contentment is not in danger of failing them if they lack money to get the newest gadgets, either. Moral excellence is free.
Character finds contentment in doing what is right. It finds contentment in exercising financial responsibility, which may mean passing up the new electronic toys. It finds contentment in traits such as love, compassion, respect, honesty, and self-control. It has the courage of its convictions, and its convictions tell it what we all know full well – happiness (contentment) does not come from what we own.
When a huge international show to introduce new electronics to consumers takes as its buzzwords “content everywhere,” I believe it tells a lot about the organizers of that show. It tells a lot about their values and lack of values. It tells what they think about consumers, and about consumers’ values. The buzzwords tell us, I believe, that society has lost sight of character to such an extent that many no longer sense the inaccuracy of the idea that contentment can be bought. Only those who stay focused on character see the error in such ideas.
Focus on character when you read the news! Try reading news articles such as the one to which I referred above with your eye on character. What can you see in the news about the place of character in our daily lives? What is the state of moral values shown in the news? Look at advertisements on television, in newspapers, and on the Internet through the lens of moral excellence. Are the advertisers interested in character? Do they strive to portray the product with total truth? Or do they try to deceive – for even a moment?
Focus on character with your family. Teach them to distinguish between true contentment and the fleeting contentment of material goods. Teach them to view news and advertisements through the magnifying glass of character. Teach them the importance of honesty. Young children will learn that importance quickly through stories such as Jeremy Rabbit’s Honesty Pie.
Focus on character when teaching students. Help them build strong resistance to the idea that they can find contentment in things. Help them stand for that truth, regardless of what friends may say.
Contentment everywhere can be yours – but not without character.
That’s the view from my chair. What’s your view?