Care About Your Character Not Your Image

The Social World has become a prominent aspect of our everyday lives. People nowadays, as before but on a grander scale, have become so immersed with boosting their image instead of developing their character.

This is a major problem for much of our society and even more of a problem for individual's self-esteem.

"If I don't get 100 likes for this picture then I will just die."

"Just give me a second. I have to take the right photo to put on Instagram (2 hours later.)"

Our society today has become so obsessed with their image. It is not uncommon to see so many teens and young adults waste so much time and energy, which could otherwise be spent on developing one's character, trying to boost their image.

So what do I mean by character and what is the difference between the two? Well, there is a monumental difference in Image and Character and something that I fear much of society, especially the younger generation, has no concept of.

Even worse, much of my own generation is forgetting what it means to have character and have now denigrated in their mentality and self-esteem.

"Character" is the ability to withstand any adversity that life will throw our way. "Character" is being able to do the right thing for goodness sake. "Character" is in being able to treat a person like you would want to be treated. "Character" is being able to stand by yourself alone and to endure the criticism and the hatred of the world.

Far too many people have become so emotionally weak. They need the approval of the world and the slightest criticism or the slightest disagreement will send them into a spiral of insecurity.

This is the negative aspect of having an image. Those who worry about their image need the world's validation. They cannot operate in the world if the world isn't deluging them with adulations over their looks or performances.

This constant reaffirmation of worth is damaging to a self-esteem and ego. It is no wonder that depression is so much higher in this generations teens and children than previous generations.

It is very important that we teach our teens and our children, especially the children, that the only approval or validation they need is from themselves. Of course, it must never come from a source of arrogance or entitlement but it must come from a source of having a high self-esteem.

Those who feel good about themselves usally try and make others feel good about themselves. Those who feel bad about themselves usually try and make others feel bad about themselves.

The power that comes with having a strong character is unbounded. This is not a hyperbole. When you have a strong character your moral outlook on life is so much broader. Your wisdom is so much grander and yourself is so much better.

The world may laugh at you for not being like them and you smile because you are not like them. Have "character" in life and stop worrying about your image.

The best smile that you can ever have is a sincere smile and when you have a real character you are able to produce a real smile.