“It is better to be alone than in bad company.”

― George Washington

Good stories have villains. Enemies. Antagonists.

Good stories have a protagonist. A champion. One hated by the villain. One constantly under besiege of the evil.

Which are you? Do you know?

“You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.”

― Winston Churchill

In my insomnia, I've recently been binge-watching the Masterpiece Theater series, Poldark. It's a classic story set in old England where there is a very clear hero and an even more clear enemy. The villain, George, is a despicable character intent on doing whatever he can to disturb the life of the hero, Captain Poldark. He's a vexing sort of fellow, but I'm sure from his perspective he's constantly being persecuted by the good guy. Truth is, he likely sees himself as a good guy despite his conniving, evil actions.

As I've been watching the story unfold over the course of a few seasons the hero continues to show himself a man of strong conviction and character. He's unwavering. Unyielding. He bends to no one. He's a man of integrity willing to fight whatever fight must be fought.

Lots of tension. Lots of uncomfortable moments. Much like your life. And mine.

Enemies. Opposing sides.

People without compassion opposing people driven by compassion.

Evil people behaving poorly. Good people behaving with valor and honor. Mostly.

But even the good show signs of great weakness under the strain of life. Mortals behaving like humans who aren't able to always hold it together.

Betrayal. Heartbreak.

Love. Romance. Sentimentality. Passion.

Hatred. Bitterness. Jealousy. Resentment.

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.”

― Abraham Lincoln

Character. That's what we're talking about. The development, possession, and growth of character. The courage to do the right thing in spite of it all.

“Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.”

― Harper Lee, To Kill a Mockingbird

I don't claim to have expert insights on such matters. Mostly, I have curiosities, wonderings and ponderings.

“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

― Helen Keller

I think Helen had it right. Character isn't built by luxury, opulence, ease or entitlement.

I'm curious mostly about the beginnings of character. The spark that begins. Or the lack of spark.

When I was a boy I loved creatures. Lizards, horned toads, frogs, turtles. Those were among favorites.

One of the most appalling behaviors I witnessed as a boy were kids who mistreated these creatures. I was always very careful with them and wasn't very interested in removing them from their home, the place where I found them. I handled them with care so as not to harm them.

A turtle was found in a nearby creek. As he crawled along the driveway an older boy appeared with a BB gun. He began to shoot the turtle in the head. I was horrified. And angry. He laughed. And kept shooting eventually killing the poor turtle. As you may imagine the boy was a bully of a kid. Despicable. And I've never forgiven him.

Today, I have a grandson who loves these creatures. He's fond of capturing them and carting them off. But around my house I've got a rule. No lizards (we have many) are to be removed. And when he captures them, they're to be returned to the general vicinity where he found them. His parents have no idea - until now - of my deep-seated ideas and how long I've held...