You asked for this: What (A) Character! An Exorcise of Futility

One Year On: Almost exactly a year ago (10-19-20) I wrote to you regarding character, traits, that are instrumental in helping you endure a major challenge, as well as to (hopefully) bounce back after major stressors, a calamity has finally passed (i.e., 'post traumatic times'). Namely, those of perseverance and  resilience, which can take you from surviving back to thriving. The same post also included a reference to a sort of conundrum of character, traits, how most major traits (e.g. "compassionate", "sensitive", "intense") are multidimensional, can have more than one side (like the object inside the "Magic 8 Ball", is my usual reference, probably because I have two in my office), can play out quite differently depending on the situational circumstances, and depending on the 'eye of the beholder' (e.g. I enjoy "intense" people in my office because they're so engaging but might be glad the individual is departing a little under an hour). In other words, as I have cited here more than once, such enduring traits, those that are an instrumental part of one's person-ality, can be either a blessing or a curse.

       An exercise I frequently find myself engaged in outside of my home, with parents for instance, is what we might refer to as a "paradox of intentions". Which in turn has them reflect on the "good, bad, and the ugly" of some character traits that, at first glance, seem to completely lack any redeeming qualities...those embodying a 'character' they live with...their child! Those which challenge your own perseverance, resilience. BUT those that, if asked spontaneously as a parent, "If you could gift your child with three traits to help them make it in this world and that of tomorrow..." You, as the parent, finding yourself in the vast majority of respondents, "I need my child to be determined in order to not only survive but thrive, whether or not as pandemic is present..." Interviewer (Yours Truly): "Determined, as in...tenacious?" You, The Parent: "Tenacious, yeah, that's a great trait!" Me: "Tenacious, as in...spirited?" YTP: "Sure, that also works" Me: "S-o-o-o....determined, tenacious, spirited...how about willfully strong, as in STRONG WILLED?" Parents In Unison: "NO WAY, that's exactly what we're here for!" Me: "Well, the good news is that the same traits that are currently super challenging to you now, can be super handy to your child and even our world in their future...besides, you couldn't remove such traits from their person-ality with a scalpel if you wanted, you can't really successfully 'exorcise' them...it would be an exercise in futility...the good news is that, while we can't do this, we can collectively shape such traits over time, via repeated effective encounters over time, that can be designed, rehearsed, and effectively implemented"

       Among other guiding principles, under such challenging conditions, with a CHALLENGING CHARACTER (of any age) is the time tested "Bend their will without breaking their spirit". More on this later...