Character before Reputation

I have a lot of work to do when it comes to being patient. Character takes a while to build up, but your reputation can be shattered in seconds. John Wooden said,

“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation. Your character is what you really are your reputation is merely what others think you are.”

I believe they go hand and hand. Good character builds a good reputation, who you are on the inside determines what you look like on the outside.

After facing obstacle after obstacle I find myself at a point where I believe I deserve some type of reward. I get anxious because I feel like I’m so close to the finish line I can just reach out and grab it. I can take the shortcut and get the mini prize or hold out a little longer for the big one. Too many times I have taken the bait and settled for instant gratification! I have let my integrity and character fade trying to build a good reputation.

Thats just how the world works today, we look for the quick or the easy way out. We do what we have to in order to fit in. Our society is so consumed with the results we hardly look at the hard work it took to make it happen. Everyone makes mistakes, we just deal with them differently. I don’t know about you but I refuse to let my past mistakes define me. I have learned that character takes longer to show in results, but once it does, its well worth the wait.

When you make a promise, the other person shouldn’t have to wonder if you are going to actually follow through. I am going to be a man of my word no matter what. I’ve said it before and I will repeat it until it sticks. INTEGRITY, HONESTY, HUMILITY, & MORALITY. I can have all these, but without PATIENCE, they are pointless. We must think about the result of our actions BEFORE we make a move. Only then can we truly understand our Character.