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KIDS OF CHARACTER 7/13/2009
The Ethical Edge Many years ago in a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy asked Charlie Brown, “Chuck, do you have any good rules for living? Charlie responded, “Yes, Lucy. Keep the ball low. Get your first serve in. Dental floss daily.” Then, Lucy curiously asked, “But, Charlie, will that get me a successful life?” Helping youth build skills for life success is at the core of character education. A few years ago I spent a day at a high school talking to teens about character education. I asked each class of students, “Would you like to live on life’s ethical edge? “If you do,” I said, “you will be choosing to live a V-I-P life.” Then, I showed them what it means to live on the ethical edge by discovering what I call the V-I-P life development skills. V-stands for vision. Living with vision invites us to explore the first important question: Where do I want to go with my life? As we journey with the vision question, we discover that the noblest ethical vision is to make a life contribution for good that outlives us. I-stands for intent. Living with intent invites us to explore the second big question: What actions do I need to take to fulfill my vision? As we shape ethical intent, we begin defining what we stand for. Individuals of ethical intent stand for personal responsibility, respecting others, being trustworthy, caring, practicing citizenship, and more. Ethical intent is an inside job. P-stands for plan. Living with a plan invites us to explore the third meaningful question: How can I evaluate my actions and my progress as I pursue the ethical edge? Life’s ethical edge is less a destination than an endless, challenging and exciting journey. We can use the S.T.A.R. plan, developed by the Jefferson Center for Character Education, to mark our progress and learn from our setbacks. Stop, Think, Act, Review is the successful 4-part S.T.A.R. tool that has been used by thousands of kids over the last fifteen years. Character mentors can coach the teens in their life to pursue the ethical edge…life’s most dynamic and meaningful adventure.
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