How do we develop such a personality, such a dynamic character? I want you to understand that it is important to develop such a character; it is more important than your studies, more enduring than your certificate, more valuable than your job. All these things will come automatically if you have character. In order to develop this, you must cultivate a certain attitude in the world.

A typical example is a friend of mine, whom I have known since childhood. I like him, but if he were to come into this room, I would tell him, “I am busy, we will meet tomorrow.” He is a nice man, no doubt, I don’t dislike him, but he has developed certain unpleasant traits of character. He looks miserable and if you ask him what is wrong, he launches off into a long list of complaints about life. Some people distribute sorrow wherever they go.

There is another boy, who also has his share of problems we all have. He is not very rich. But he wears clean clothes, and as he walks in, he brings in a ray of sunshine. He has laughter in his heart and a smile on his lips. Always self-confident, he wants everybody to smile. Have you ever seen a picture of any God weeping? Even the Elephant God is smiling. This is because our real nature is to be happy.

If you happen to see two or three students holding their bellies, laughing away, will you not stop to ask them, “What is the matter?” You also want to share their joy. You, too, want to laugh. But my friends, on the other hand, if you see someone weeping under a tree, you may turn your face away. You may think, I have no time to weep, I must go to college.” Successful people also have troubles. Everyone has his share of trouble, but the person with character has the ability to rise above sorrow. He is self-confident. He always draws people towards him, because they come away feeling that they have gained something from him.

When you attract others, your success is assured. Such an attractive personality naturally leads to success. This can be cultivated by a habit of correct thinking. The removal of negative mental habits is called personality reconstruction or character building. It cannot be done by your father or mother, nor by your brother or sister. Each one of us will have to develop ourselves by ourselves. Your brother may be popular, but you are not. You may have the same blood, eat the same food, yet one is very popular, while the other is very unpopular. If it is an inherited quality, then you and your brother must both be successful. Therefore, it is not an inheritance. It is a mental habit.

Some of us, from early childhood, through various pressures, have developed wrong channels of thinking. Perhaps, at that time your mother was ill.

Auntie came to look after you. You wondered why your mother is not helping you. You may have been frightened by the auntie who told you ghost stories or upset you by the pressure of emotions. There could be a thousand and one reasons. At that tender age, you had not grown up enough to discriminate.

Today, each one of us can watch for different weaknesses in ourselves and remove them. As vigorous youngsters, you have got the will power now.

Tomorrow, when you go out, you will have to face a lot of challenges. You will have to earn your livelihood. You will have to shoulder a lot of responsibilities and your will power may not be available to you fully. If you are sincere, it is possible for you to change your mental habits right now. You can strengthen positive habits and learn this technique of self-unfoldment.

Build Your Character to Build the Nation

Today we have seen how a man with knowledge is like a donkey carrying gold. Mere knowledge is useless. We must learn to use that knowledge. We must have an attractive personality to ensure our success in life. In order to court success, we must develop good mental habits. This is the secret power of attracting people. Once this power is acquired, your future is assured.

Remember, in your future, lies the future of your country. Therefore, national character is more important than national wealth. If the character is there, you can create wealth! It is not only your personal development, but it is national development. Ultimately, we are trying to develop the nation by developing each individual. Thus the glory you wrest from within yourself will be reflected in the whole world around you.

Reference: Chinmaya-Tej, Jan/Feb 2015; Images: Designed by rawpixel.com / Freepik