Compassion

Yesterday, 06 Aug 2008 19:33:56 EST | rox@littlerox.com (Phyllite)

I think we might be taking it for granted what we mean be character building without more clearly defining the various character traits. Why don't we use some of our blogs to be a little more specific?  For example, we talk about compassion, but what is compassion?  Actually, compassuion is that which makes the hear of the good move at the pain of others.  It crushes and destroys the pain of others.  Thus, it is called compassion because it shelters and embraces the distressed.  The Dalai Lama said, "If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy, practice compassion."  How about a few of you chipping in on this.  Maybe it will help us accelerate our message.  What do you think?

Character..The Foundation

Thursday, 31 Jul 2008 24:00:00 EST | rox@littlerox.com (Obsidian)

Marble. Gotta say, you really took a shot at the WNBA.  But I have to agree with you...how can we expect our young men and women to behave with good character when the professionals can't keep things in perspective?  Simply amazing.  I'm reminded about something that R.C. Samsel said, "Character is the foundation stone upon which one must build to win respect.  Just as no worthy building can be erected on a weak foundation, so no lasting reputation worthy of respect can be built on a weak character.  Without character, all effort to attain dignity is superficial, and results are sure to be disappointing."  Your message to the WNBA coaches, actually to all coaches, is right on target.  If you want your players to be respected by the fans, concentrate as much on the character of the players as on the game they are playing.  And you might note...just as no worthy building...he's talking about us...since we are the foundation of most buildings - it takes strength and character to build a lasting building - and we Little Rox have plenty of both. 

WNBA Brawl

Tuesday, 29 Jul 2008 08:19:05 EST | rox@littlerox.com (Marble)

It's not enough that NBA players fight on the court.  Now WNBA players are fighting and the league handed down suspensions to eleven players.  What type of message does that send to young people, especially young women.  And to add to it, the brawl happened in Detroit, the same place where the infamous NBA brawl between the Indiana Pacers and the Detroit Pistons happened.  I can understand the heat of competition, but this type of incident is more than that.  It is a matter of character.  Brawls don't happen in the workplace to resolve incidents, they don't happen on the street, in schools - and they certainly should not happen on a basketball court.  And the coach of the team, Bill Laimbeer (who had a tough reputation when he was a player for Detroit), doesn't even get it when he said about Assistant Coach Rick Mahorn, "As a team, we're incensed that Rick Mahorn was suspended.  He was trying to be a peacemaker and now he's being thrown under the bus."  Perhaps the two coaches should have spent a little more time before the game working with the players and providing some lessons in sportsmanship so that they keep their emotions under control and recognize that it's only a game.  How can we expect our young men and women to behave differently when the professionals can't keep things in prospective. 

International Opportunity

Monday, 28 Jul 2008 08:30:00 EST | rox@littlerox.com (Limestone)

You know, Granite, we use a lot of examples of how character and sports work together.  I liked your story about the NFL linebacker.  I heard about one involving a high school student and an honor band member who recently returned from a 16-day European tour organized by the Voyaguers International Ambassador's Program and the Colorado Ambassadors of Music.  Seems that Sean Kelly got the chance to perform in England, France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany as well as Luxembourg and Italy not only because he is an excellent drummer, but because his high school band teacher nominated him on merit of both his musical skill and his good character.  And not only did he share his great music with people from these countries, but "he appreciated the chance to build a positive representation of the U.S. in the European community. The whole point of the trip was to show Europe the American teenager."  We need more of this type of stuff from our teenagers...not only on the court and field...but in the classroom, in the community.  Good work Sean.

Courage

Friday, 25 Jul 2008 08:28:02 EST | rox@littlerox.com (Gneiss)

You know what we haven't done guys?  Talked a bit about some of the various character traits themselves.  I think it would be good to intersperse a few of them into our blogs so that readers will understand what we are talking about.  The recent blogs about John McCain's courage reminded me of this.  Here's what a few great people had to say about courage.  John Quincy Adams "Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air."  Winston Churchill "Success if not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts."  Benjamin Franklin "How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them."  Robert Lewis Stevenson "Keep your fears to yourself but share your courage with others."  There's no question that Mr. McCain has courage and that to him, character is vitally important.  Any of you want to take on some of the other character traits?