What are we made up of?

The age old saying goes 'Wealth is lost, nothing is lost. Health is lost, something is lost. Character is lost, everything is lost.'

While most people in this universe agree with this saying, the way they see it is different for most people. The world stage offers such a fast changing panorama of diverse cultures, times and beliefs that 'character' can truly not have a universal definition.

To me, character is a building block of our very existence – something that embodies our body and mind, something that is unique to every individual, something that defines our complete well-being, something that 'characterizes' us.

Again, going by the definition of health in the NCERT text book in school– 'Health is a state of complete physical and mental well-being', I feel Character also includes health in its realm.

So, just a simple sentence 'I am not feeling well' also reflects character – how much pain you can take, what makes you feel uneasy, how you behave when you are not so comfortable from within and when and where would you express this uneasiness. It tells the 'strength' of your character.

Under this premise, the measurement or realization of character is also quite subjective and based on qualitative parameters rather than quantitative parameters. You cannot rate someone on honesty, integrity, purity etc based on your scale. There's no standard metric. Your '5' can be someone else's '1'.

In view of my experiences and to the best of my knowledge and belief, the only unanimous definition of character could plausibly be – the measure of truth that you hold inside, the measure of truth that you offer and owe to yourself and to others. This measure alone invokes a faith which can be termed as character. In whatever capacity or capability, in whichever times or context, with whosoever, in howsoever manner if an individual can deliver truth, he is of 'good' character else of 'bad or low' character.

The measure of this 'truth' that I call 'the character' is easier explained than achieved. More often than not, we do not realize that somewhere deep within we are lying to ourselves. The reasons that govern this 'untruth' are beyond the scope of this discussion though. The higher the degree of 'untruth', the higher the restlessness to pose as someone else rather than ourselves, the higher the degree of uneasiness or discomfort with ourselves, with others and with the environment  overall, the higher the degree of doubt and fear. And that gradually diminishes the strength of your character – it takes character to live a good life, it takes character to love or make a friend, it takes character to be honest, it takes character to be brave amidst adversities, it takes character to earn money, it takes character to be knowledgeable, it takes character to be respectful of oneself and others, it takes character to live with a mind without fear and head held high.

And all this cannot be misconstrued by just the physical manifestation of someone's existence or a momentary behavior or reactions towards specific people or behavior in specific situations.

Character building starts the moment we are born – they say all babies too behave differently. But most of it is acquired as we grow up – I am not too sure where but somewhere both in our body and mind. It is like a perennial tree that takes years to grow but is green across seasons and once old enough entrenches its roots deep within.  Character building probably ends when we breathe our last. I chanced upon someone who refused to take any help even when he approached his death bed – he felt it was unfair to the others physically and emotionally. Even the last few words one utters before death is driven by character.

Being physically healthy or rather slim is 'cool' these days. Whether they believe in it or not, they join a gym or attend yoga classes or go for a walk. While it is very important, it is equally important to train our minds day-on-day. Most of us do not unfortunately have a regular exercise regime for the mind. Actually, I would call it 'building the character'. If you are of strong character, your will power (strength of mind) and your depth of emotions would keep you afloat even when your body is not supporting you. The body is housed in the character (like I stated earlier), so it gets taken care of.

Unfortunately, there are no lessons or coaching classes available on character building – it is eventual and can come only with a rigorous application of the body and the mind voluntarily – reading, writing, meeting people are good instruments for me as it exposes me to the elements of a good/strong character in the world elsewhere and makes me aspire to build it in. I am sure there is a multitude of options available; given what elements of character you already have or do not have. Like I said, 'the measure of the truth we owe and offer to ourselves and others' is the only definition of character. The more is that sense of truth, the stronger is your character. It is just important that we build it and work continuously towards it so that it is strong enough to protect our body and mind (since it embodies both) until we die.

When you are of good character, you will never doubt anyone else's. You will be secure about yourself, you will be confident about your capabilities, you would be clear at heart and will be a host to positive emotions, in all, you will be happier.

It is tiresome, but it is worth it!