The Ten Building Bricks of Character

So today, no more tricks - the 10 Bricks or Traits that build character are listed in their entirety and fully discussed.

“Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right.”

- Isaac Asimov, author and biochemist (1920-1992)

“Relativity applies to physics, not ethics.”

- Albert Einstein, theoretical physicist (1879-1955)

“TRACER DOGS - The Ten Building Bricks of CharacterTrustworthiness Respect Attentiveness Compassion Enthusiasm Responsibility Discretion Obedience Gratitude Service

The Ten Building Bricks of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. The standards of conduct that arise out of those values constitute the ground rules of ethics, and therefore of ethical decision-making.

There is nothing absolute about the number ten. We might reasonably have 15 or 23, or more, or even less. But most universal virtues of character fold easily into these ten. The number is not unwieldy and the Ten Bricks of Character can provide a common lexicon - which allows us to more easily communicate about core values and understand ethical decisions better.

The Ten Bricks act as a multi-level filter through which to process decisions. So, being trustworthy is not enough - we must also be compassionate, enthusiastic, and service oriented, etc. Adhering to the letter of the law is not enough - we must accept responsibility for our action or inaction. The Bricks help us detect situations where we focus so hard on upholding one moral principle that we sacrifice another — where, intent on holding others accountable, we ignore the duty to be compassionate; where, intent on getting a job done, we ignore how. In short, the Ten Bricks can dramatically improve the ethical quality of our thoughts, words, actions and decisions —- and thus our character and lives.

Trustworthiness:Be honest · Don’t deceive, cheat or steal · Be reliable - do what you say you’ll do · Have the

courage to do the right thing · Build a good reputation · Be loyal - stand by your family, friends and country

RespectTreat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule · Be tolerant of differences · Use good manners, not bad language · Be considerate of the feelings of others · Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone · Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements

Attentiveness:Show the worth of a person or an idea by giving it one’s undivided concentration · Ensure that the assignment is completed · Give attention to detail · Life is won or lost in attention to detail · Focus on desired outcomes and priorities · Seek first to understand

CompassionBe kind · Be compassionate and show you care · Express gratitude · Forgive others · Help people in need · Compassion includes pity, sympathy, mercy and kindness

EnthusiasmDemonstrate confidence · Be the catalyst for positivity · Influence first with the depth of your conviction, then with the height of your logic · Be passionate about your assignment · Live life with gusto

ResponsibilityDo what you are supposed to do · Persevere: keep on trying! · Always do your best · Use self-control · Be self-disciplined · Think before you act - consider the consequences · Be accountable for your choices · Let your yes be yes · Follow-through

DiscretionPlay by the rules · Take turns and share · Be open-minded; listen to others · Don’t take advantage of others · Don’t blame others carelessly · Be careful what you say, when you say it and where you say it · Be a person of strategically chosen restraint · In every situation, know the attitudes, words and actions that are right, honorable, and just to act upon · Understand the full consequences

ObedienceObey laws and rules · Respect authority - submit yourself · Eliminate your rebellion, self-will, self-centeredness · Conquer negativity

GratitudeContinuously express gratitude which flows from a thankful heart · Look for opportunities to praise and give honor that is due · Praise in public, reprimand in private

ServiceDo your share to make your school and community better · Cooperate · Get involved in community affairs · Stay informed - vote · Be a good neighbor ·

To see what is right and not to do it is want of courage.

- Confucius, Chinese philosopher (551 BC-479 BC)

Every right implies a responsibility, every opportunity an obligation, every possession a duty.

- John D. Rockefeller, Jr., entrepreneur (1839-1937)

DAILY PRAYERFather, we know that while we do have a say in many of the battles we choose to fight, often we cannot choose our battlefield, You do that for us. But we can plant a standard where a standard never flew. Help us to have the courage, the fortitude, the character to establish excellence as our mindset, our approach, and our goal. In Jesus name, Amen.

Protect and esteem all of the authorities that have been placed in your life. The fruit of submission is character; the fruit of character is moral strength; and the fruit of moral strength is optimally producing more fruit.

Grace and peace multiplied to you,