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KIDS OF CHARACTER 12/08
Noticing The Character Angels In Our Midst “I think we’re here for each other.” - Carol Burnett The New Testament captures humans as made “little less than the angels.” In this ever-groaning world such a description may seem like foolish fabrication. Yet, this season allows us to turn our attention to the aspirations that define the purposeful calling of the spirit that animates every human being. Abraham Maslow’s 20th century breakthrough insights into the study of the human psyche clearly helped to frame our understanding of what shapes human excellence. Maslow showed that highly effective people are capable of pursuing a life mission of ever-growing need fulfillment. As individuals satisfy basic life needs, they turn their attention to ever growing relational and aesthetic needs that demonstrate evolving, refined ways to show one’s life clearly finds fulfillment in connection to others. This most-wonderful-time-of-the-year offers opportunities to give meaningful attention to relational and aesthetic needs. The season provides the atmosphere to observe the difference between the basic, self-absorbed instincts of individuals surviving the demands of the season… in contrast to individuals who practice the skills of a character angel by pursuing virtue-seeking experiences of human excellence. And the result? Joy is created by many individuals who place self-preoccupation aside to fulfill their higher need of serving others. Let this holiday season be an ongoing experience of observing character angels in your midst. These individuals are distinctively noticeable. They are kind and patient. They smile. They practice caring conversations. They are Other-centered. Point out these people to your kids so they begin to understand how character angels in your midst do behave. By doing so, you will be allowing a little bit of character angel dust to fall afresh on their consciousness. And who will you notice. Count on seeing… Character angels, like Tammy, who understand devotion to others…at home, at work, in the community. Character angels, like Elizabeth, who learned to place another person’s grief and pain in the palm of their hand. Character angels, like Judy, who understand how to reach out to others in simple acts of love. The Character Angels in our midst inspire us to use words and pursue actions reminding us we are, in fact, here for each other and that each of us can find our way to practically discover the Truth that we do not exist for ourselves.
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