Strength of Character

In thinking about who I am as a person, a man. I am often reminded of who I have bee influenced by. Even as a very young man, I can remember having the belief that I could take and emulate the good qualities from just about everyone that I met and leave the less desirable qualities.

I remember being bullied as a kid; my prevailing thoughts were never about the bullying itself, but more about how I could be as strong and confident as the person doing the actual bullying. I actually admired the bully for his strength and confidence. Now where and how they derived this confidence and to some extent physical strength meant little too me. All I knew is that for me too never be bullied again, I had to gain that force of will and strength. Of course the physical strength was not easy to come by and more dependant on genetics than I would have liked; however the confidence I could gain almost immediately and I did.

I taught myself, through the sheer force of will, that intimidation was a call to further gain the confidence needed to be competitive in any environment, regardless of the circumstances. I learned that wit and charm could disarm; humor and humility could bring about collaboration and sincerity can and oft times will endear. These tools helped me to turn difficult situations into pleasant chats and uncomfortable, unpleasant confrontations turn into networking opportunities.

I do understand that there are those individuals who seemed to be bereft of any moral fiber what-so-ever. Those that seem to have not one redeeming quality. I think I have learned more from those individuals than any other. I learned what not to do, who I did not want too be, characteristics that are the antithesis of who I wanted to be.

My character, the strength that I derive from it makes me feel that I am the biggest person in the room. I could walk into the locker room of any NBA team and feel as if I am the tallest person in the room. Find myself in an NFL players lounge and feel like the strongest man inside those walls. Everyday, I grow bigger and stronger!