The Personified Smoke

“From different sources
It generally engulfs
Visible to all nearby eyes
With different smells

Sometimes it chokes
Sometimes it’s harmless
Sometimes it mars
Sometimes it makes.”

_Sams.

“Yes, I know this is me and there’s nothing you can do about it! I really don’t give a hoot about how you see me. I do my thing my way irrespective of the outcome. Don’t dictate me! I don’t need to listen to what others have to say about this matter. My decision is final! Accept me or stay away!” _Anonymous

The personified smoke is about the characters of humans. Character according to dictionary.com is the combination of traits and qualities that form the individual nature of persons or things. These combinations make people different. So in our context, the word ‘Character’ stands for ‘The personified smoke’. Your character has to be of at least good quality to be able to stand the test of time. Quality is not what happens when what you do matches your intentions. It is what happens when what you do matches your targets’ (customers, employees, employers, wife, husband, people, etc) expectations.

“Don’t sacrifice your peace trying to point out someone’s true colors. Lack of characters always reveal itself in the end.” _Mandy Hale

Beauty actually catches the attention of many people but your own character catches their heart. That one character people complain of and you think it does not matter, I would advise that you try to change it because it won’t take you far enough to get to your goal. Don’t hide it rather it would surely surface as you interact at times without you knowing. Remember that character is like a ‘smoke’. No one can go anywhere with people of questionable character because they are like cars without fuel and engines, you can only sit in them but they will never take you anywhere.

“Character is the real foundation of all worthwhile success.” _John Hays Hammond

Character isn’t defined by your religion, rank, looks, wealth, etc but by your actions which begins from the inside and works its way out especially on your worst days. When it’s framed, it doesn’t stand the test of time and it brings shame. A good character isn’t an act, but a habit. You just find yourself showing it to people at times even without you knowing. It’s part of you. Remember the saying: “the true character is revealed when pressure is applied. How you treat those who can’t do nothing for you tells of your true character.

“When character is lost, all is lost.” _Billy Graham

Remember this:
Live in such a way that if someone should speak bad about you to any, no one would believe it. Time means nothing but character does, so unlearn those bad characters and embrace the good ones. There are people that would or even be looking up to you as a role model.

“Our character is what we do when we think no one is watching.” _H. Jackson Brown Jnr