A Person of Character

In today’s competitive, fast-paced world, we often hear how winning, particularly in the world of sports, is the ultimate measure of success. Hard work leads to winning, and victory on the field leads to success in life. The same sentiment is often cited in business and politics as well. Winning, no matter the cost, has become the objective.

Let me tell you a story about a real person, one that showed me how determination can result in success that outshines defeating an opponent.

It was a time when my oldest son, who was still in middle school, decided to compete in the school’s cross-country and track teams. Since it was middle school, the policy was that any student who wished could participate. The entire team’s roster participated in the competition against other schools, but only the top five scores from each team would count in the day’s scoring contest. Now, my son wasn’t the fastest or the strongest runner, nor was he the slowest. Pretty solidly in the middle of the pack. Sometimes his scores counted, and other times they did not. I remember as a parent going to his cross-country meets and cheering him on, always hoping that he would have a breakout day and win the meet for his team and himself.

I also remember watching another young man on his team. This boy, who was clearly not a competitive runner, would come out each week and make his best effort. Each week, he would run and ultimately finish a distant last. Often, the timekeepers already had the top results calculated and were ready to post the score before he finished the race. His slow times were the butt of jokes, and disparaging comments ridiculed his performance. 

As I watched, I wondered, “What keeps this young man from just giving up?” Every week, he would come out with the team and run, knowing full well he would be the last one to finish. Finally, one day it dawned on me that he was running the long race. Not running to win today, but running to win in life. Each week, he strove to improve his own performance, always hoping to better himself.

This young man lacked size, speed, and strength, yet possessed something those gifted with natural talent did not. He had heart, determination, and above all, CHARACTER. It’s easier to show up and compete if you believe you are going to win, much more difficult if you know in advance you won’t.

When we weren’t at a track meet, we used to see this young man at the library. It seemed he was always there. He spent more time exercising his mind than he spent at the gym.

I have since lost touch with this young man. I do know he went on to finish his education, graduated from a state university, and is now competing in the game of life. No doubt with the same determination and character he displayed as a boy.

Perhaps you know someone like this young man? Someone who isn’t blessed with great physical talent. Encourage them, I say. Help them, keep them involved. I somehow suspect that their hard work and diligence will prevail later in life, and they will ultimately be winners. Not of trophies or ribbons or even notoriety, but of character.

The world cannot have too many people of good character, because character ultimately triumphs over raw talent.

After all, character is what this story is about.

Photo by david Griffiths on Unsplash