Character.

I talk a lot about being a successful Artist and to most that is fame and fortune. I am not saying that those dreams and aspirations are wrong because they are not, but we must know why we are wanting those things and we must be able to define success for ourselves and what that is.

There are a few sentences in an ancient book that speak so very clearly to me and I would like to share them with you.

It says, “ Buy the truth and do not sell it.

Also wisdom, instruction and understanding.”

Why?

So we can apply wisdom into our lives to become better people.

See if we get wisdom, that will give us the knowledge we need to improve our lives, but we need instruction so we can learn that wisdom and apply into our lives to make us better, wisdom without the ability to personally apply it, is lost.

Then understanding is the ability to take that learned wisdom and apply it in our lives to help and benefit others.

The most important things in life are not wealth and celebrity, though we are told they are, the most important things in life are loving, caring for and helping others.

That’s why we need wisdom and understanding to do this, because it is often the small things we do that have the most impact on others, not the big earth shattering things.

A warm smile, a little kindness, listening to someone who feels alone, taking time to understand another’s journey, not dismissing them as different or strange.

Giving of your time, your talents, your knowledge, your love and sometimes even your money.

Not asking for payment for a kind act.

Being selfless not selfish.

Being generous not greedy.

Being the one to reach out and say, “ Can I help?”

Instead of saying or thinking, “ What’s in it for me,” say, “ How can I help you?”

Take a look around and see that, most people are nice.

Most people are kind and friendly.

Most people are caring.

Most people are generous.

We have been told through the media in very subtle ways that these are negative attributes and greed and selfishness and the “ Hey, I am entitled mindset,” are the right attitudes and they are certainly not.

We need more generosity, selflessness, kindness and giving in the world.

These are the correct character attributes, yes you may not get rich doing them, but you will grow a lot of “good fruit” on other people and be a wonderful blessing to them.

When we help others, we help ourselves.

When we love others, we are loving ourselves.

Giving of ourselves, our time and our money is far more important than taking.

Take a little time today you think about how you define true success for yourself?

Give expecting nothing in return, that’s wisdom applied.

Give and it shall be given to you.

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