Character

What exactly is character? We teach our children at the intermediate school about character through lessons that are read to them but do children actually have practice developing their character? It's been a long day and after a long ride home spent virtually grumbling and griping about my life and how hard the day had been I looked up and saw something that brought tears to my eyes. I saw a man that walks all over the town we live in. This is no ordinary man, he is not handsome by most of our standards nor is he distinguished in a way that most people would consider extraordinary. I, on the other hand, I feel like this is a man that could teach us something just by observing him from a distance. The little man appears to be in the latter part of his 60's and has an extremely curved spine. It looks painful but yet I see him walking what I consider to be extremely long walks. I have to stand back in awe of this incredible human being. Yes, I described this man as incredible. If asked most people would simply ignore this man or not see the inspiration that I see. It does break my heart that people who are different or have disabilities are not viewed as being extrordinary human beings with gifts to give to others just by being themselves.

After I got home I called my mum and we discussed CHARACTER. It amazes me that even other teachers in my building do not see my students as being extraordinary and not in a way that warrants pity or being ignoring. This led to debate....would it be better to have a disability and cognitive awareness and perceptions of them or have a disability that caused a person to be unaware of the perceptions of others? That's a hard question. I look at things differently given my chosen profession. My children function at a very low level. The only way to describe them would be infants and toddlers in 10 year old bodies. But one thing that always gives me peace and happiness of heart is knowing that my children are happy just being here (where ever "here" may mean at any given time/place). I wish the rest of us could say that. Can you say that you are happy of heart and just happy to be alive?

Character: (my personal definition) Accepting yourself and others as they are and truly appreciating their uniqueness.