Re: strong character
first of all understanding of change is different then bringing any change and secondly, you didn't specify change has to be good or bad, cuz it could be bad as well.
you only specified them being the jack of their specific environment. what if they thrown into entirely different habitat?
you definition didn't talk about adaptability.
Hey Zobia. I didn't think I needed to specify adaptability/differing environments. They, along with other things, are inherent in change.
Change is change, neither good nor bad. The bringing about change comment is interesting though.
I think the popular definitions for 'strong character' are usually based on some sort of a moral platform; the old 'doing the right thing when no one is watching' approach. For me, it goes beyond that. I want to know where/how that person learned what the right thing is and how they define 'right'. I guess what I'm trying to say, rather poorly, is that a strong character is one who has found their own answers, and not someone who does the right thing all the time but only because they have been taught that way. How do you figure out your own answers? Step one; understanding change.
Re: strong character
I actually find "strong character" in someone who is unwavering to the winds of change, it's like that saying "the piller of strength". He/she should be reliable, supportive and comforting and must stand for something bigger than themselves, irrespective of the audience or environment he/she is in. Morals do play a role in it too, as the thing that is "bigger than oneself" shouldn't really be something that is universally bad or stems from corruption of the mind.
Re: strong character
I actually find "strong character" in someone who is unwavering to the winds of change, it's like that saying "the piller of strength". He/she should be reliable, supportive and comforting and must stand for something bigger than themselves, irrespective of the audience or environment he/she is in. Morals do play a role in it too, as the thing that is "bigger than oneself" shouldn't really be something that is universally bad or stems from corruption of the mind.
Couldn't have stated it better. I'm saving this.
Re: strong character
Faloodah, Jojo, I used to think that too. Then I don't know, something changed (ha) and I could no longer equate being steadfast to having strength of character.
Re: strong character
Topo, I'm curious to know an example of a person who is steadfast but not necessarily of a strong character.
And when I say morals, it does not have to mean a set of morals that a religion like Islam prescribes etc or those handed down by one's culture or family, because what's immoral in Islam may not necessarily be immoral from another view.
However, some values/morals are universally right. And those, according to me, have to be found in a person of strong character.
I define it as someone who has an understanding of change. They have grown from their experiences, and have a good understanding of themselves and their environment.
I think this is a component of a person with a strong character but not the sole one.
Re: strong character
Topo, I'm curious to know an example of a person who is steadfast but not necessarily of a strong character.
And when I say morals, it does not have to mean a set of morals that a religion like Islam prescribes etc or those handed down by one's culture or family, because what's immoral in Islam may not necessarily be immoral from another view.
However, some values/morals are universally right. And those, according to me, have to be found in a person of strong character.
Hmm, okay this may be a bit unpopular but what the hay : D. Those who continuously sacrifice themselves/suffer in silence/etc. I was talking yesterday to an ex work colleague. He is very unhappy in his marriage, very. But he has decided he is going to remain in it. I like him, I admire his steadfastness in the matter, but I don't think it shows a strength of character.
May I ask, which morals/values do you consider to be universally right?
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I think this is a component of a person with a strong character but not the sole one.
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From my perspective, it is the component that potentially gives birth to all the other components. But I do gets what you is saying, so fair enough.
Re: strong character
Hmm, okay this may be a bit unpopular but what the hay : D. Those who continuously sacrifice themselves/suffer in silence/etc. I was talking yesterday to an ex work colleague. He is very unhappy in his marriage, very. But he has decided he is going to remain in it. I like him, I admire his steadfastness in the matter, but I don't think it shows a strength of character.
May I ask, which morals/values do you consider to be universally right?
From my perspective, it is the component that potentially gives birth to all the other components. But I do gets what you is saying, so fair enough.
No, I do not at all think making a miserable marriage last is a sign of strong character. It's surely a mark of patience but not 'strong character.'
My definition just goes back to the simple one of being able to stand up for and act upon what *you *think is right in the face of opposition, pressure and/or temptation. Also, being able to say and accept things as they are without rationalization. And things of those sort.
I have an unpopular example too that does not gel with the majority on this board, but oh well, it continues to be what I believe. It is about marrying based on falsehood. We've had many people here make threads about how they think it's okay to lie to their prospective spouses about their past (whatever it may be), upon being specifically asked about that particular issue (*because it's seemingly ok to decide what is okay and not okay, what matters and what does not matter, for *another person!!). *I personally think that not revealing something that has *not been asked and lying about something that has been asked are situations poles apart. This, to me, is rationalization for personal gain.
As for things that I think are universally 'right'...honesty, integrity, not taking away another person's autonomy/choices because it benefits you, etc.
Re: strong character
Ha, yes. We seem to adopt a very political approach when it comes to rishtas. At times, some of the issues/advice on here just make me sad: there's a strong lean towards the sly management of other people, and I can't really call it bad advice because it feels like that is what you need to do in order to survive/progress in our society. It's all rather disconcerting.