Questioning Our Character

[historyteach]

"In order to struggle successfully with yourself, you must know your character intimately, and be aware of your faults. To achieve this self=awareness, sit down with a pen and paper - the exercise will be painful - and write down what you feel are your most obvious character flaws and weaknesses:

• Am I prone to anger? When I am angry, do I overreact and say or do things that inflict pain on others? Or am I the sort of person who, if asked, will deny that I am angry, yet will treat other people with coldness, disdain, and annoyance?
• Do I judge others fairly, or am I harshly critical (both in what I say and what I think)?
• Am I stingy with my money or my time?
  Do I speak curtly, making people feel that I have no time for them? (This is unkind, even if we are busy.)
• Do I avoid saying or doing what I believe is right because I fear how others will react or what they will think of me?
• Am I moody?
• Do I make people around me feel that they are somehow responsible for my moods?
• Does my unhappiness affect the atmosphere in my home, transforming, often in a matter of minutes, a general feeling of pleasantness and good will into one of tension and sadness? (Taking away the good mood of those around us and lowering their spirits is a cruel, even if unintentional, act of aggression.)
• Do I treat strangers with more consideration Than members of my own family?
• Do I take other people's kind behavior for granted, or do I go out of my way to express thanks and help those who have been kind to me?
• Do I blame my wrongful actions and mistakes on others, or do I take responsibility for the wrong I do?
• Do I jump to conclusions and blame other people before I know all the facts?
• Am I able to control my impulses, or do I give in to temptation easily?
• Do I bear grudges and remain angry at others for a long time after an argument?
• Am I tardy, and thereby waste other people's time by keeping them waiting?
• Do I rationalize dishonesty with excuses such as "Business is different?"
• When I hear of other people's sufferings or misfortunes, do I find ways to help them, or do I feel sadness in my heart but do nothing?
• Am I jealous of the success of others? Do I begrudge others their good fortune?

Once you have drawn up your list, do not become discouraged, even if you find that you have many weaknesses. Drawing up a list like this is the first and most important step in changing your character for the better.

Joseph Telushkin"

I would add only one thing to this fine assessment.
When you've finished looking at your weaknesses, make a similar list -- just as long -- of your good character traits.
Balance is everything.

Shalom!

[indigo]

good stuff Teach.

indie

[windysan]

I'm such a jerk.

[historyteach]

And what's the positive trait that balances that statement, windy???

L'Chaim!

[windysan]

Originally Posted by historyteach

And what's the positive trait that balances that statement, windy???

L'Chaim!

nothing positive to report about myself. i'll let you know when i make something up.

[Alera]

Originally Posted by windysan

nothing positive to report about myself. i'll let you know when i make something up.

You could have fooled me. I like your sense of twisted humor that is exhibited in your choice of avatars for example.

[windysan]

Originally Posted by Alera

You could have fooled me. I like your sense of twisted humor that is exhibited in your choice of avatars for example.

Thanks !! That can be a good character quality or whatever.