The Compass of Destiny

“Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” - Abraham Lincoln
“Reputation is for time; character is for eternity.” J. B.Gough
Be careful .. who you love
Be careful .. what you love
Be careful .. what you do
“So, take my strong advice, just remember to always think twice
People always told me to be careful of what you do.
And don't go around breaking .. hearts.
And mother always told me “be careful who you love”
And “be careful of what you do 'cause the LIE becomes the truth” – Michael Jackson “Billie Jean”
See the LIES I tell myself .. *
How I practice inner stealth
Find the Truth & be set free
Then I’ll find the best in me
Does who you are .. guide what you do?
Does what you do .. determine who you become?
Is a person “bad” or “good”?
This is not easily understood.
Is it possible to look from the outside .. in
Can you see “character” deep within?
What is character?
It has many meanings .. here are a few:
.. moral excellence
.. attributes that distinguish an individual
.. distinctive qualities
.. complex mental & ethical traits
Character has many shades. What do you see?
Are you the shadow .. or are you the tree?
Character can be noble .. virtuous .. upright .. worthy
Or unsavory .. in bondage to the dark .. a form or slavery
“You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.” Henry David Thoreau
“Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word.” Lord Chesterfield
"From fire .. comes refining. Character is always revealed in adversity." - me
Character is FORGED .. in the often-fiery CRUCIBLE .. of LIFE
It is EARNED under pressure in DIFFICULT battles & strife
Noble character by unswerving FORTITUDE is formed
By PERSEVERANCE .. while enduring life’s storms
In no marketplace can it be bought or sold
Its ATTRIBUTES are as pure as GOLD
It can’t be manufactured or made
It can’t be SWAYED or PLAYED
Its value cannot be WEIGHED
Its ESSCENCE does not fade
Everyone falls .. not everyone gets back up
You should not be defined by mistakes ..
True character will always find Grace
“Character is the beauty that rises from ashes” - me
In great LOSS
.. your child
.. your health
.. your wealth
.. your spouse
.. your house
If all your earthy possessions PERSISH .. what remains?
Here you will find the truest state of your being
.. what only God and you are seeing ..
The state of your soul
The condition of your heart
The strength of your spirit
.. not something you inherit ..
Your character is an internal well
What about your life will it tell?
How deep do your waters flow?
.. only you and God know ..
How deep is your “character” well?
The outside gives clues like a seashell
Behind your walls .. beneath your skin
What qualities can be found deep within?
.. loving .. truthful .. honest .. faithful .. loyal
.. personally responsible & accountable
.. self-control .. self-sacrifice .. humility
.. forgiveness .. forbearance .. integrity
.. perseverance .. patience .. kindness
.. trustworthy .. courageous .. brave
“Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone.” Cyrus Bartoi
When you look in the MIRROR .. what do your eyes see?
Do you know your TRUE core? Or is that a MYSTERY?
Do you look to the best interest of others?
Regard people like sisters & brothers?
Are you a giver or a taker?
Genuine or a faker?
Character can be tested in never-ending ways
When DARKNESS seductively says “let’s play”
Do you turn you back .. walk away?
Or are you easily swayed?
Do birds of a feather
.. flock together? ..
“Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character.” Albert Einstein
“The best index to a person's character is how he treats people who can't do him any good, and how he treats people who can't fight back.” ― Abigail Van Buren
“Parents can only give good advice or put their children on the right path. The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” Anne Frank
What shapes character?
Do you love dark or light?
Are your actions wrong or right?
Right-thinking produces right actions
Wrong-thinking produces wrong actions
This principle is as sure as gravity
We live in a REBELLIOUS world .. in a time when many question “what is RIGHT?”
Throughout human history: “right” means morally good, justified, or acceptable
Righteousness means the same: the quality of being morally right or justifiable.
What is your standard of right & wrong?
Is it human-opinion?
Very often people perceive something to be “right”
… even if .. even when they are falling off a precipice
“There is a way that seems right to a man but in the end it leads to death.” ~ Proverbs 14:12
We are admonished .. be careful ..
“Lean not on your own understanding but in all your ways acknowledge him (The Lord) and He will make your paths straight” - Proverbs 3
Human-opinion is the precarious posture of leaning on your own understanding.
Is there a Higher Standard?
Human are created in God’s image
Should our “character” be based on His Standards .. His attributes
Does the apple fall far from the Tree?
Jesus is the “Son of God“ .. who became the “Son of Man” to become our Savior. He is also the “Son of Righteousness” .. and God’s Final Word to humanity.
“In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” – Hebrews 1
Faith is the hearts response to the “character” of God.
https://bibleproject.com/learn/character-of-god-series/
Character determines how a person interprets God's will. Encourage reading Psalm 18:20-26
Character & attitude are the most powerful signatures you possess.
Character is a compass that effects every aspect of your life.
Mental-attitude
Heart-attitude
What you do
Who you love
What you love
What you value
What you believe
Where you are focused
How you spend your time
Character will determine how you journey through life .. influence outcomes & guide your destination

Be careful ..
A hole can begin within your SOUL
.. that you might not even know.
The mind can be BLIND ..
when TRUTH it refuses to find.
And darkness is a hidden tower
Exerting force in every hour ..
Unknowing people it will DEVOUR
This veil of DARKNESS echoes in time
UNDERSTANDING shifts the paradigm
If LOVE & RIGHT is your delight ..
Then you are walking in the LIGHT **
.. Consider how one thing leads to another ..

Lao Tzu, Gandhi, Buddha, Frank Outlaw and the father of Margaret Thatcher .. these individuals have been credited with this quote. - Quote Investigator
A path of principle that leads to CHARACTER .. from Scent of a Woman “I'll show you out of order”
.. Consider the man in the mirror ..
Worry about your character not your reputation. Your character is who you are. Your reputation is what others think you are.

This post is my “in the Light” reflection .. to Alan Geller’s “After Dark invitation” to share an “Interlude” .. to your HONOR Alan .. you always INSPIRE ( I would trust your “character” even in the dark ;~)
This Week’s Submission: Billie Jean - Artist: Michael Jackson
Subject: Character
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6801609502010470400/
References:
Think 2WICE .. his writing will make you “Think Twice” .. I promise
Arthur Russell - Author: "This Taste of Flesh and Bones"
“Where is your thought compass leading you?”
https://us.bebee.com/producer/where-is-your-thought-compass-leading-you
*lines from “Divine Art”
https://us.bebee.com/producer/human-onions-divine-art
** lines from “What Color is Light?”
https://us.bebee.com/producer/what-color-is-light
John 3
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+3&version=NIV
Hebrews 1 Gods Final Word: His Son
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+1&version=NIV
Character of God
https://bibleproject.com/learn/character-of-god-series/
Essential traits of good character
https://www.success.com/rohn-6-essential-traits-of-good-character/
http://www.inspirational-quotes.info/character.html
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/character
"In His Light" .. I write
All rights reserved: Fay Marmalich-Vietmeier
If my words make you think … Great ;~)
As “iron-sharpens-iron” … I enjoy bantering with other BEES … please know, your feedback is as “honey”
A glimpse of the “Bee” called “me” ;~)
My caring nature makes me an advocate. My curious nature makes me a “queen of questions” … but gifted with the ability to listen ;~) I am a woman of deep faith, a blessed mother, a voracious reader, a blossoming writer, a grateful person, and a lover of beauty … I treasure family, true friendships and my loyal clients ... enjoy traveling, learning, good movies, good wine and golf. I’m a “heart-to-heart” communicator.
https://www.bebee.com/@fay-vietmeier-pennsylvania
https://www.linkedin.com/in/faymarmalichvietmeier/detail/recent-activity/
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Comments
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #49
Thanks Preston .. I love how Scripture says that “iron-sharpens-iron”
Much good in that principle
There are many influences
.. who we hang out with
.. what we listen to
.. what we watch
.. what we read
Influences are everywhere .. good & bad
.. Edifying .. building-up
.. Erosive & Corrosive .. tearing-down
Preston 🐝 Vander Ven
1 year ago #48
Great Buzz. Always remember, Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Our character becomes whom we associate with and the books we read.
Franci 🐝Eugenia Hoffman
1 year ago #47
I've written several articles for one blogger, and I, along with several other poets, write poetry for another WordPress (poetry) blog site. I've also had some of my poems included in a few anthologies. It's become overwhelming so I am just sticking to posting on my two sites and the other poetry site. Plus, I want to get back into submitting pieces to Spillwords and add more poems to Poetrysoup, another poetry site.
I have edited several of my posts thus far, which is a tedious process. Javier informed me that little by little they are putting back missing images, which so far most of mine have been put back. Also, the editing window is small making it difficult to edit, which I mentioned to Javier. He agreed and hopefully, it can be improved upon. So, you may want to wait a while before you started editing your posts to see if the images have been put back and if the editing window is bigger.
With all that said, I like the new beBee, and like any beta version, it will take a while to get the bugs out.
Take care!🌸
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #46
💛@Franci 🐝Eugenia Hoffman, beBee Brand Ambassador
I did not realize Franci that you blog for other writers.
I need to also edit posts - in the transition to new platform - some images & video's were erased.
.. I happened upon this making referral to something in one of my posts.
Also want to submit more pieces to Spillwords (besides poetry) - they have published quite a few poems .. I'm ever grateful for your sharing them.
https://spillwords.com/author/faymarmalich-vietmeier/
Franci 🐝Eugenia Hoffman
1 year ago #45
All is well @Fay Vietmeier. Blogland slows down a bit during the summer, plus I am taking a hiatus from writing for other bloggers. I've been editing and updating my previous beBee posts so I will be a beBee bee more often. Keep on keepin' on. 😉
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #44
@Franci 🐝Eugenia Hoffman, beBee Brand Ambassador
Hope all is well in your poetic world
Thank you for “insightful” .. your reviews are meaningful to me. 💛
Totally true .. a "sure fire test"
“Character is what you do when no one is watching" Paul Rabil
And yes:
There ARE good and bad character traits
Franci 🐝Eugenia Hoffman
1 year ago #43
Mental and ethical traits make up our character. Character defines us individually - it's who we are. There are good and bad character traits - “Character is what you do when no one is watching" Paul Rabil
Insightful post @Fay Vietmeier.
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #42
#38
@Debasish Majumder
Multiplied thanks Debasish - multiplied thanks for the sweet share 🍯
You are a most faithful bee ..
I so very much appreciate thee
Debasish Majumder
1 year ago #41
lovely insightful buzz @Fay Vietmeier ! enjoyed read and shared. thank you for the buzz.
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #40
#37
@John Rylance
Good point John
The compass can point in any direction: up or down .. good or bad: amoral or immoral - is a reflection of character
Without a moral compass the human mind will justify anything. Mehrnaz Bashir
And regardless of which direction the compass points .. the human mind will justify anything - Me
John Rylance
1 year ago #39
#36
Perhaps Fay your quote highlights the difference between an amoral and an immoral compass. Both reflections of our character.
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #38
@Luis David de la Fuente
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #37
@Andrew John
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #36
#24
@John Rylance
Thank John .. you are a faithful bee
I like the quotes - especially Bashir's
Without a moral compass the human mind will justify anything. Mehrnaz Bashir
added thought:
Even with a “moral compass” the human mind will justify anything - Me
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #35
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #34
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1 year ago #33
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #25
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John Rylance
1 year ago #24
#2
Re-reading your piece. The phrase moral compass came to mind. An important part of our character is our moral compass.
Without a moral compass the human mind will justify anything. Mehrnaz Bashir
We need more moral compasses and less SatNavs. Dean Cavanagh
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #23
@Neil Smith
Multiplied thanks Neil
.. a rich reply 🍯
Neil Smith
1 year ago #22
Something new in every passage and something missed that I will come upon later. Thanks for this @Fay Vietmeier
I could be a while getting to the end.
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #21
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #18
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Fay Vietmeier
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1 year ago #10
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #6
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #5
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #4
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Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #3
💛@John Rylance
Thank you John .. I appreciate you
.. you are the first to read & comment ..
I appreciate your feedback “gems among these nuggets”
.. invested much time in this posts.
John Rylance
1 year ago #2
There are some real gems amongst these nuggets.
“Character is a compass” which points us in the direction we should go.
This is a piece I will read several times to uncover all the nuances.
Fay Vietmeier
1 year ago #1
To those who have lost everything ..
May your beauty rise out of your ashes.