Character

Character

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there are those who suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all- the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.

- Howard A. Walter.

What does this poem mean to you? Words that a saint, monarch or Prime Minister should live by?
I think any leader, anyone, should live by these words. Of course it is not easy. But it is always good to try.  How many times have we often sought the path of least resistance? I know I have many times.

I was applying for membership for the Singapore Psychological Society a few nights ago and was sieving through years of my results slips, certificates and what nots. I wasn’t pleased with what I saw. From straight ‘A’s in ‘O’ levels to lousy results in my ‘A’ levels and university…what happened? I was faced with a mixture of disappointment/disgust/self-realisation… I realised that I let my desires overcome my needs. I lost my sense of discipline. Instead of studying, I was out playing touch rugby, laser sailing, partying, hiking but studying…tsk, tsk. Obviously, there is no point crying over split milk now but to move on and lead a disciplined life henceforth.

So what is considered a disciplined life? For some it might mean waking up at the crack of dawn to run, cycle, practise yoga or to prepare breakfast for the family. I think it varies with different stages of our lives. At one point in my life, I would wake up at 6am or 4.30am, 3 -4 times a week to run. Why did I stop? Besides the accident in Pattaya, which immobilised my right ankle, I think I wanted to pursue something else. But that’s another story for another time. For now, I’ll stick to my yoga.

So yes, pay now and play later, or pay a lot more if one chooses to play now and pay later. No more the path of least resistance! I don’t want to be labeled as a person without discipline and character. What about you?