“A good name will shine forever” Proverb

A good name is developed based on your character.

Character-noun-the collection of features or traits that form the individual nature of someone or something

I’ve learned that your character is determined based on how you act and react and we are in a “character crisis in society” (Pastor A.R. Bernard. There is a moral and ethical breakdown. The Greek meaning of character is a distinctive mark or stamp. Your dominant trait becomes stamped or marked and you become identified by that dominant trait.

There are two types of people in this world. You are either a fragrance or an odor. You will know which one you are based on how people interact with you. If you are a fragrance, everyone once to be around you because you are pleasant, encouraging, kind, and an all around good person. If you are an odor people will only tolerate you and be around you because of an obligation, but not necessarily by choice.

Today as we start the new work week, think about your character. What do you co-workers, friends, and family members say about you? How do people react when you enter a room. Are they excited and do you feel welcomed, or do you enter and the talking suddenly stops and the *side eyes* start floating around? Whether you like it or not, we need people. Humans are social beings. We cannot learn or grow in isolation. That is why we have relationships.

You may say “well if you don’t like me, then don’t be around me.” Well what if no one likes you? Then what? What are you going to do then. Instead of having the “I don’t give a ______” attitude that many people have adapted, think about how you can develop your character to be a fragrance. If you are on a train and a homeless person who smells awful is sitting a few seats down, do you stay? I know I don’t. So evaluate yourselves and look at the areas in your life and the traits in your character that can sometimes cause you to be an odor. No one is perfect (Only Jesus Christ) so there are always areas in which we can improve.

I can admit, I can have a real funky attitude sometimes. My patience wears thin and that is something I need to work on. Sometimes I am not always the fragrance and can cause people to give me the *side eye* for being an “odor” (not literally I always smell good ) So look at yourselves and your character and answer this question “which one are you?” If you are mostly an odor, there are ways to improve and things that can be changed, but you have to be willing to make that change. Start making that change with me today.

 How are perceived now? How will you be remembered? So when people say “your name” what will they say fragrance or odor?

*Character Traits*

Positive-courteous, kind, generous, calm, goal-oriented, optimistic, assertive, focused, graceful, motivated, encouraging, patient, selfless, personable, etc.

Negative-distant, pessimistic, rude, impolite, critical, vain, passive, cruel, rebellious, selfish, immature, inconsiderate, etc.