“Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” – John Wooden
The above is easier said than done, but still holds true. In today’s world your past indiscretions and mistakes are more difficult to move away from, and are easier to spread.
Individuals have said things, and done things in their past which they may have believed in at the time, but cringe at now. People grow and evolve.
We need to look at the person’s character, and not rely on reputation which may or may not be true.
The majority of religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness. Everyone has ‘missteps’ in their life (some more than others). Don’t let those missteps, define your character.
Character is defined by your mental and moral qualities:
Are You Honest, Do You Show Kindness, Are You Generous, Are You Sincere, Are You Forgiving, and Do You Have Good Morals and Values.
I cannot speak for any of the names listed below, as I obviously do not know them personally. However, I can assume they have all shown some of the Character traits above. They all went through adversity, became successful, and did not go back to crime. My belief is that they took accountability for their mistakes by changing their life paths. They showed character.
Daniel Manville - served three + years in jail for manslaughter. While he was in jail he studied the legal profession, earning two college degrees. After he got out he went to law school. He passed the bar, representing both prison guards and inmates in civil court cases.
Uchendi Nwani - served six and a half months of labor at a federal boot camp for drug dealing. After his time, he lived in a halfway house and cut hair at the university salon where he resumed studies. He opened his own barber shop and shares his success by traveling nationwide, motivating others to follow their dreams even in the midst of adversity.
Jeff Henderson - served ten years for dealing and manufacturing cocaine as a youth. During his time in prison he discovered he liked to cook. When released, he worked as a chef in LA before moving to Las Vegas. He is currently working at Caesar’s Palace, earning top recognition and rewards.
Tim Allen - Before Tim Allen became a famous celebrity, he served two years + in the Federal Correctional Institution for cocaine possession and drug trafficking. After his time in prison he turned his life around and became a famous Hollywood actor.
50 Cent - Before he became a famous rapper, Curtis Jackson III (aka 50 Cent) served a six-month boot camp sentence (instead of his original three-to-nine years) for drug-related charges. While in prison, he earned his GED and was determined to make it as a rapper. His first album was a hit, and continues to make music.
Danny Trejo - Danny Trejo was in and out of prisons for charges relating to both robbery and drugs. He finally turned his life around and broke free of his addictions. He now plays been in many television shows and action films.
The past should never be forgotten, however if responsibility has been taken should it be forgiven?
We need to learn from the past to become better people with better characters.
Character cannot be taken away from you by any person
Convince Yourself It’s Possible, and Keep Moving Forward.
Be a Mensch!*
Traits that Show a person’s underlying value of beliefs:
· Generosity
· Integrity
· Loyalty
· Devotion
· Loving
· Kindness
· Sincerity
· Self-control
· Peacefulness
· Faithfulness
· Patience
· Determination
· Persistence
· Adventurous
· Fairness
· Cooperation
· Tolerance
· Optimism
· Spirituality
“Reputation is like a tree, and reputation like a shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.” Lincoln
* "a person of integrity and honor"
Source:
https://www.arrestrecords.com/15-surprising-ex-convicts-who-made-it-big/
Articles:
Is the Art of Conversation being lost through technology: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/art-conversation-being-lost-through-technology-causing-ryan-joffe/
Common Courtesy: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/july-month-common-courtesy-ryan-joffe
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