Character Comes by Learning
(Характер формируется в процессе обучения)

“The worst of all deceptions is self-deception.” (Plato)

Who am I? I have a name, and that’s how people know me. But how am I known? Am I funny, serious, friendly, or angry? Do I have lots of friends…or none at all?

Our personality traits [(character) trait — черта (характера)] make up our character. And our character was shaped by those influences that had close contact with our life. For some that may be mother and father, for others, they may not even know their parents. School, friends, music, and media also have great influence on how we choose to live our life.

A good character comes from good influences, and bad ones are just the opposite. While none of us could ever choose where and what living circumstances we were born into, we must all, at some point, take responsibility for who we are. Putting the past aside, forgetting about blame, now we must choose what course and influences will direct our life.

A very wise man once said: “Do not be misled; bad company corrupts good character” (Paul the Apostle). Who do you keep company with? Who do you spend lots of time with? Is it your friends…music…TV? Stop now for a moment and ask yourself this question: what messages are you getting from these sources about life?

Think carefully about what kind of person you want to be in 5 years…in 10 years? What do you need to do now to start being that kind of person? Think about these things!

Family Life: Plan For Your Future

The influences we receive while young dramatically shape our character. They affect the very core of our being. While none of us can choose to be born into a great, loving and secure family, we all must learn to live and adapt to life as it is given to us. Much of your future will be decided by the choices you make in life. Career, marriage and family are all important decisions that you will face one day. Practice making good decisions early in life. Consequences follow our choices. Poor choices lead to bad consequences, some of which may affect your entire life. One day you may choose to have a family of your own. Who will raise your children and give them their sense of values? Will you be able to give your children a stable home where they can live in love and security with a mother and father?

Consider these facts in how you choose to live your life: Living together before marriage is becoming increasingly common in America. But research has shown that the chances for divorce are almost twice as high for couples living together before marriage, as those who don’t.

Children of divorced parents are statistically more likely to show behavior problems, emotional difficulties, and lower academic performance.

What kind of home do you want to provide for your future family? Will it be better or worse than your own? Do you want a lasting marriage and children who can grow up in a stable home? What kinds of influences help move you toward this goal? This is important…read on.

Wisdom From The Past

Below are quotes from various people. Think about some of the things they are saying.

“The great use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast [outlast – 1) продолжаться дольше, чем (что-л.) 2) пережить (что-л.)] it.” (William James)

“He that never changes his opinions, never corrects his mistakes, will never be wiser than he is today.“ (Tyron Edwards)

“The only man who never makes a mistake is the one who never does anything.” (Theodore Roosevelt)