Priorities Over Character?

“If a child is taught nothing else to save character alone, he will be better prepared for life than those who are taught pure academics, but no character.”

                                                                                                                              - Ray Ballman

I think the hardest thing for a teenager today, is to learn more and more about their character. Although, I also think that it is hard for an adult to grasp the concept of having character too. However, I believe that at some point in one’s life, there is something that opens up the eyes where you start to define yourself. Sometimes we tend to rethink our priorities rather than our character. The question then comes to mind. What is more important, priorities or character?

Our priorities make us aware of what needs to be done. It gives us a chance to realign our fundamentals of being responsible, and taking initiative towards our actions. Our priorities are our virtues, as to what is important to us. Sometimes this can lead to self-defeating habits though. As a teacher, your priority is to educate the young and look at their assessment skills.  Is that it though? Of course not.  Teachers create the fundamentals of human connection and present an opportunity, where the children can grow.

In any profession, a leader can establish his or her priorities and delegate authority to those who he or she is supervising. Then you start to look at the idea of purpose and establishment. Where is this coming from? Hopefully it’s coming from your character, and you being a human. When looking at your character, you must reflect on your values.

Sometimes, I question my own character. Who doesn’t though? I have to realize that my character is based on my values as a person. I value my family and friends. I also value my students and their success, in the hopes of them finding something worth wild in the future. I have to admit though, it is challenging when your character is being tested.

Often I am looked at as someone who is a character. By that, I mean I like to make people smile and help them forget about their worries. I sometimes try to institute that in my classroom too. As a teacher, you will always find that one student who needs to escape from reality, and the best way to help them is to make them forget about their worries. I’ve seen many kids come and go in my classroom, making their academics a priority. I appreciate their determination, but I am here to tell you that grades do not define someone. Your character defines you. Your character defines you based on how you treat others. We need to teach our students to have character and not be led by competition and stress. If we, as adults, do not encourage the youth to learn the principles of human connection; we will be failures. Our principles are a way of developing our character. So then, what are your principles?


Maybe it’s better to have character than priorities. What do you think?

Cheers, 
Rob

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