What
has happened to our Moral Character?
School of Athens -- Raphael
As I watch the news, I
find myself looking for stories about people's character. How they
are responding to the global crisis.
I'm in the middle of a
dialogue with an army friend about the Navy commander, Capt. Brett Crozier, who was relieved
of his command because he went outside the chain of command to
write a letter to the Navy leadership about his men and the
coronavirus crisis on his ship. To me, that indicates this captain has a strong
moral character, because he went against the rules to save his men.
To me, he sacrificed something of his life for his men and that makes
him a hero to me.
Having the courage to do
what's right, even when it will get you into trouble; using your
gifts and strengths to help others; standing up to lies and
hypocrisy. These are all gifts of moral character. And having a
strong character is part of our soul growth, isn't it? We also have
to learn kindness and compassion, responsibility and endurance and
many other virtues that we no longer name as important to life when
we incarnate each lifetime. When we resonant at these high levels of
character, we can change the world.
I believe that our work
each lifetime is to build our character. To learn not only how to be
human, but to become a conscious human being who has the right and
privilege to co-create the world with Source.
As I notice which movies
and shows come out each month on Netflix and Amazon, there aren't
many which teach us how to develop that moral character. I love THIS
IS US for that very reason. It's
all about a father's struggle to build character in himself and in
his children. And a mother's need to love and protect her children.
And of course there is my
favorite moral mentor, Captain Jean-Luc Picard. In the finale of the
new series PICARD, Jean-Luc says something that is so
important for all of us, but most especially for fathers. When he's
asked how he's going to get through to a character who is making a
bad choice, he say: By example! By her seeing my actions and
then making her own choice.
That's the best example of
what builds character – to live it, to own it --- whether it's
honor or mercy or freedom of choice. And to pass it on by example.
And that's the ancient archetypal purpose of The Father.
We don't need to be a father
to do this, but that's the archetypal energy behind being an example
of moral character. To be an example of a responsible human being.
There can be laughter and joy, fun and playfulness as well. But our
work is to build into our character the very best of human nature.
Loyalty. Honesty. Honor. Respect. Service. Leadership. These are
qualities of the Divine Masculine, in both men and women.
Our
work is to develop as much of the goodness of the universe as our
hearts can hold.
