There are consequences for a society that fails to uphold character. Cruelty, division, and disrespect increases as character decreases. The fabric of society begins to unravel when character is discarded. Families are impacted by a lack of character, and our children even more so. Character is on the ballot, one of the most important things we can do this week to develop our collective character as a nation is to vote. Vote for character. "Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America." -John Lewis President Barack Obama Speech at Drive-In Rally in Pennsylvania https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQnlnk6Y7Kk Hamilton X When We All Vote https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMmkXAIRXCU

John Lewis: Good Trouble - Official Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_oEkOdIXdo&t=2s

Levi's® 2020 Vote PSA with Hailey Bieber and Oge Egbuonu https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsaB2ycgEbE

Letter to the editor: Character matters in presidency https://triblive.com/opinion/letter-to-the-editor-character-matters-in-presidency/

The Ultimate Test of Presidential Character Is Restraint https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/06/15/ultimate-test-presidential-character-is-restraint/

“And I reminded him that he is not defined by other people, he's defined by the character of his heart, the honesty of his dialogue, and the man that…the man that we will miss.” -Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC)

Former President Barack Obama honored the congressman and civil rights leader for his honor and commitment to service.

Secretary Clinton added that “…his integrity and character, his can-do spirit made him a guiding light in the Congress.”

Within the brief foreword, Rep. Cummings authored, there were at least ten character traits emphasized as vital to maintaining our democracy; unity, truth, gratitude, dignity, respect, commitment, service, duty, forgiveness, and cooperation. We are all responsible for shaping the character of our nation.

The character challenge for you is to examine the ways in which you can use your character to influence our democracy for good. I’ll select a few of them to on our online platforms.

Referenced Links:

In Defense of Public Service: How 22 Million Government Workers Will Save our Republic (https://www.amazon.com/Defense-Public-Service-Government-Republic-ebook/dp/B07Y42NYLG/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=)

A look back at U.S. Rep. Elijah Cummings’ most powerful speeches (https://www.baltimoresun.com/politics/bs-md-pol-cummings-notable-speeches-20191017-20191017-bnkcxyyg6bdpliakgmkefhiubm-story.html)

Elijah Cummings: We are in a fight for the soul of our democracy (https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/elijah-cummings-we-are-in-a-fight-for-the-soul-of-our-democracy/2019/10/26/cac744be-f4fd-11e9-a285-882a8e386a96_story.html)

WATCH: Mark Meadows pays tribute to Rep. Elijah Cummings during memorial at U.S. Capitol (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eU3xZnhx_7s)

Barack Obama Honors Late Rep. Elijah Cummings At His Funeral | TIME (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caKjfSl_ThU)

The Character Class Podcast

“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

Seven Qualities of People with High Emotional Intelligence 1. They’re change agents. 2. They’re self-aware. 3. They’re empathetic. 4. They’re not perfectionists. 5. They’re balanced.  6. They’re curious. 7. They’re gracious.

My character challenge to you for this week: take the time to be gracious and express your gratitude to someone by acknowledging their contribution to your life

You may send us a note or you can tag us on Facebook and Instagram @characterclass, on Twitter @character_class, or simply email us at [email protected].

Share your story with us and share this podcast with your friends and colleagues. Follow us online and join in on the conversation.

Links below:

7 Qualities of People with High Emotional Intelligence https://www.success.com/7-qualities-of-people-with-high-emotional-intelligence/

Story of Doctor (Think Before You Judge) https://www.moralstories.org/think-before-you-judge/

The character of a nation is defined by the collective achievements of its people - ordinary people of extraordinary faith and vision who give beyond themselves for the greater good. America's lifeblood is found in the story of its people... We, the People.

Thomas Jefferson wrote that the purpose of the Declaration of Independence was “intended to be an expression of the American mind.”

The character of a nation calls for those who comprise the nation to own their responsibility in forging a country live out the true meaning of its creed. We must value honesty, respect, civility, truth, honor, humility, integrity, and fairness.

The Character of a Nation ~Tom Dallis (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi7FNDh4ARg)

Why Freedom Matters: Celebrating the Declaration of Independence in Two Centuries of Prose, Poetry and Song (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00272M836/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1)

Frederick Douglass | July 5, 1852 (https://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/document/what-to-the-slave-is-the-fourth-of-july/?fbclid=IwAR0WAO8IefVPKn_-SBxYHTin1Ultpi442KCk9HuBbn-lWnIerZZqD915dsY)

Declaration of Independence by President John F. Kennedy (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHAksb4gSIM)

The Character Class Podcast

People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Breaking Through Emotional Barriers: The Four F’s To Emotional Freedom.

Faith - Focus - Fortitude - Follow-through

Seven ways we can focus on what really matters. (Lifehack.org)

1. Set important tasks to be completed daily 
2. Seek to provide value in all that you do 
3. Plan for the long term
4. Have vision
5. Create a dedicated vision board, planner or calendar
6. Schedule regular weekly check-ins
7. Set aside some time for yourself (put you on your calendar)

(https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/7-ways-focus-what-really-matters.html)

You may send us a note or you can tag us on Facebook and Instagram @characterclass, on Twitter @character_class, or simply email us at [email protected].

Share your story with us and share this podcast with your friends and colleagues. Follow us online and join in on the conversation.

Breaking Through Emotional Barriers: The Four F’s To Emotional Freedom (faith, focus, fortitude and follow-through) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZO0HCV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8u-7xbGF870YY

Cry Like a Man: Fighting for Freedom from Emotional Incarcerationhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830775943/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Cry Like A Man: Official Book Trailer I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuY0-VHkvcw

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.  – Hellen Keller

Suffering is one of those subjects we do not talk about a lot. We have an emotional intelligence deficit. 1. Self-Awareness, 2. Self-Regulation, 3. Motivation, 4. Empathy, 5. Social Skills.

You can send a note or You can tag us on Facebook and Instagram @characterclass, on Twitter @character_class, or simply email us at [email protected].

E-book “Breaking Through Emotional Barriers: The Four F’s To Emotional Freedom”  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZO0HCV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8u-7xbGF870YY

https://mrjasonwilson.com/resources/

Breaking Through Emotional Barriers: The Four F’s To Emotional Freedom (faith, focus, fortitude and follow-through) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZO0HCV/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_8u-7xbGF870YY

Cry Like A Man: The Prologue https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pr1tSfYUsE

Cry Like a Man: Fighting for Freedom from Emotional Incarceration https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0830775943/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Emotional Intelligence - Developing Strong "People Skills" https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_59.htm

We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education.  – MLK Jr.

When writing in the Maroon Tiger, the campus newspaper of Morehouse College, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reasons that education has both a utilitarian and a moral function (King, M.L., (1947), The purpose of education, Morehouse College).

1. Achieve peace of Mind 2. Strengthen Trust 3. Build a solid reputation 4. Reduce anxiety 5. Increase leadership effectiveness 6. Build confidence 7. Become a positive role model 8. Build a strong business 9. Live a purpose-driven life Bonus 10. Character determines your legacy

9 Powerful Reason Why Your Moral Character Matters by Frank Sonnenberg, author of Follow Your Conscience: Make a Difference in Your Life & in the Lives of Others 

How do we define character? What makes up the content of our character? Throughout our time together we will take a deeper look at these attributes and others. This episodes reviews a few lists of character content. What are the attributes, qualities, and traits that you believe make up good character?

Follow us Facebook and Instagram @characterclass, on Twitter @character_class, or simply email us at [email protected].

Contact Kymone Hinds at [email protected] or visit his website KymoneHinds.com

You can find Voiceover artist Debra Ball at TheVoiceActress.com

ABCs of good character: https://www.imom.com/printable/abcs-of-good-character/

Strata Leadership traits: http://strata.vaesite.com/__data/uploads/files/CCORE-Definitions.pdf

In this podcast, we will explore the strategies that will help us shape character. Listen as our guests share what they’ve learned about character through their own life lessons, and give insights on what their experiences taught them. We will discuss practical ways to develop quality character traits and we will talk about how we can even share our life lessons with those who want to matriculate with us on this adventure.

I believe that everybody has a story and an experience that has taught them a valuable lesson to build their character. The character class podcast is the place where we can share stories, solutions, and real-life practical ways to strengthen character.

If you are an educator, a leader, a business executive, or simply consider yourself a life-long learner then this is the podcast for you. If you believe that your character is your legacy, that your character shapes your destiny, and that character can change the world then I invite you to subscribe to this podcast.