Character Formation toward Personality Character Character is defined

Character Formation toward Personality

Character � Character is defined as mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. � In the famous speech “I have a Dream”, Martin Luther King, Jr. Mentioned that he dreamed of the day when all Americans will be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. � Character is an integration of three things: ◦ What you do? (Actions and Behavior) ◦ How you do? (Dispositions and Attitude) ◦ Why you do? (Intentions and thoughts)

Character Formation � Major are: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ factors that play role in character formation Heredity Early childhood experience Role modelling by important adults and older youth Peer influence Physical and social environment Communication media Learning from schools and other institutions Learning from culture and religion Specific situations and roles that elicit corresponding behaviour.

Personality and Character

Positive traits Development for Character Truthfulness Sacrifice Sincerity Self Control Altruism Tolerance Scientific Vision

Truthfulness � It is defined as quality of presenting facts to the best of our knowledge. The dictionary meaning of truthfulness is “the fact of being true”. � Value of truthfulness is mentioned below: ◦ Truthfulness of a person builds a highly positive character. ◦ Such people possess high self-esteem and confidence in comparison to others. ◦ Such people get respect, regard and love in the society. ◦ Honest and true people are more humble and responsible towards the society. ◦ They can win over other’s trust and faith very easily because of their truthfulness. ◦ Honest people are great source of inspiration for others. They are true guide for their students. ◦ This trait is the greatest asset of a person which can’t be bought by money.

Sacrifice � � � Sacrifice: Sacrifice means giving up something valued for the sake of other’s consideration. The people, who are having the trait of Sacrifice, depict following characteristics: Generosity: Individuals with the Sacrificing personality are very generous. They help others even without being asked for. Service: People with such traits have one objective in mind and that is serving others. They are non-competitive and generally don’t have high ambitions. Consideration: Such people are very understanding. While dealing with others they are highly considerate or sensitive toward their feelings. They are ethical, honest, and trustworthy. Acceptance: They have high tolerance and accept others in all circumstances. They are nonjudgmental and very polite. Humility: They are very humble and never boast off about their achievements. They don’t feel comfortable in being the center of attraction. Endurance: They have high patience levels. They can handle stress for a long period of time. They try to solve their problems on their own. Artlessness: They are very genuine and sincere. They are very innocent and can’t judge the motives of people for whom they have done so much. They only keep on doing for others with full sincerity.

Sincerity � Freedom from deceit (dishonesty), hypocrisy or duplicity, probity (honesty) in intention or in communicating, earnestness (seriousness) � Sincere individual are: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Say what they mean Mean what they say Practice what they preach Self less motives Do not take advantage of others Action oriented policy High self realization Honest Ready for action when needed Quality of equanimity (peace of mind in both good and bad situations)

Example �A man approached three workers who were doing the same task. He asked each one of them separately “What are you doing? ” � The first one replied “I am cutting the stones”. � The second one said “I am earning my livehood”. � The third person said “I am building a mosque”. � Each of the three workers saw themselves linked to a different purpose. This story shows the sincerity of a person towards its purpose.

Self control Controlling what you think � Controlling what you feel � Controlling how you behave � Think before they act � Control their temper � Make good choices � Follow through plans and tasks � Behave, even when no one is looking � Can better handle problems � Thinking Feeling Behaving Consequences (Reward Or Punishment)

Importance of self control � It is the base for all other positive traits. This is taught from childhood by parents and teachers. � It is the foundation of a positive character. � One needs self control to be responsible. Only then they would be able to make sacrifices to fulfil their obligations. � One needs self control to be respectful. � One can make better decision with self control, as he/ she could analyze the situation in more logical manner. �

Altruism � Research suggests that practicing altruism enhances our personal well-being (emotionally and physically) because: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Altruism makes us feel happier It is good for our health It helps in promoting social connections It is helpful in better learning It helps in creating a positive climate It helps in relieving stress Build a better community

Example �A very good example of Altruism is in Islam. Zakat or giving alms is one of the five pillars of Islam. According to this, rich should give to the poor or people with excessive debt or those who need help. Various rules are attached to the practice and amount is also fixed. The Quran says that if you give alms openly, it is good; but if you do it secretly and give to the poor, that is better.

Tolerance � Tolerance is defined as “Accepting others differences, accepting others for who they are. ” � Importance of trait of ‘Tolerance’: ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Key to maintaining social relations Preserve differences among people Maintain peace and harmony in the society Leads to learning from others Remove religious and ethical differences Key to success in life It leads to understanding and acceptance of others Level of tolerance decides the level of happiness and contentment in individual’s life.

Scientific Vision

Importance of Scientific Vision � People with scientific vision can solve problems in a better manner � They have innovative thinking � They have logical mindset � They can search for better alternatives � They can foresee the changes in the environment � Do not go by intuitions but act on basis of facts and figures