I’ve heard it said, “A man’s (or woman’s) character is etched on his heart only to be seen by his Creator.” The ultimate evaluation of character will come at a later time. I believe the character of a person can be sculpted like a piece of pottery. How your art piece looks in the end is up to you. I have had a great seat with a group of men that I feel represent what it means to have character. The LIFE COMMUNITY is lead be Chairman Orrin Woodward and the Policy Counsel (Chris Brady, Claude Hamilton, Dan Hawkins, Bill Lewis, Tim Marks). I believe they are men of principal. They have earned trust because they are predictable. They don't change positions to gain the popular vote. It’s the only way the LIFE COMMUNITY made up of tens of thousands of people would ever be in existence.
Character is one of the chapters in the 'Resolved' book written by Orrin Woodward. It is part of the Mental Fitness Assessment found in the Mental Fitness Challenge. It has been said that character is the main quality that would influence someone to follow a leader. When a leader builds trust within a community, their constituents know where the leader stands.
It’s sad to say that in the world today we can’t always say that for the leaders who are in power. I’ve never heard Orrin whisper into someone’s ear that they would talk about something later after the rest of us where not in the room, like I have from a high ranking political leader on national TV. I have a hard time when that type of thing is done by politicians who say one thing to the public and another in private just to appease the popular vote. A culture whose leaders give up their character and values is not what the founding fathers expected from our country. After all, they put their sacred honor on the line for the foundation of a free nation. John Adams said, “Have you ever found in history, one single example of a nation, thoroughly corrupted, that was afterwards restored to virtue? And without virtue there can be no political liberty." Thomas Jefferson said, “He who permits himself to tell a lie once, finds it much easier to do it a second and third time, till at length it becomes habitual. This falsehood of the tongue leads to that of the heart, and in time depraves all its good dispositions.” Benjamin Franklin said, “My father convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest.” Today we are up against junk politics that redefines traditional values. Cinematic, political, and journalistic pundits distract us with personal foibles and scandals. Acting, politics, and sports have become what they were under Nero’s reign. The future of our country is uncertain with a culture of relativity.
I feel that Orrin Woodward and the LIFE COMMUNITY leadership are examples of what we are looking for from leaders today. Here are eight qualities of character that makes a leader worth following:
- Purity of Heart
- Servant hood
- Persevearance
- Predictablitity
- Keeping Promises
- Being Faithful
- Prayer
- Passion
If we are ever to change the trends of politics and Hollywood, we must be resolved to start on the inside. We must be ready to take responsibility for ourselves. Getting around an association of a character driven organization is the first start. Thomas Jefferson said, “God grant that men of principle shall be our principal men.” Make the potter proud of the vessel. Challenge youself to take, ‘The Mental Fitness Challenge’. God Bless, George Guzzardo
