A Teen's Take

POMEROY–Character. I thought I knew what character meant until I had to write a speech about it for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). My speech topic had to be based on a FBLA goal and among the outline there was one bullet point called “Build Character”. I have absolutely no idea why those words stuck out to me, but it impacted me. So, I decided to write my speech on character.

As I began writing, I began to question what it really meant, and as it turns out, I had reason to question. I thought character was an attitude or behavior, kind of like their personality, but I was totally wrong. I did some research and after a while I learned that personality is what we do and who we are when everyone is watching, Character is what we do and who we are when no one is watching. It’s someone’s ethics. Their morals.

When I was little, my parents decided to let me decide who I was going to be, so around the age of five, my mom let me dress myself. It was a little awkward at first because I was used to have those types of decisions made for me, but as I took on that new responsibility, I grew to love my new found independence. It made me feel more grown up; more like an adult, and I acted like it too. It taught me individuality, decisiveness, and outgoing since everything I wore was something I picked out. It taught me character.

Character is so much bigger than attitude or behavior. It decides whether or not we get to experience success and happiness. It’s what we do and who we are when no one is watching. Character. What does that word mean to you?

Have a wonderful week.