Recipe for Success: Character Building

The first ingredient in your recipe for success is the building of character. It has been said that character is the only thing we can take with us when we depart this life. This is perfectly true; therefore the object of all religion (not religiousness), mental training and development should include the first ingredient to success, the building of character. A religion that does not build up character is worthless. Those who think that they can “flop” through life, avoid, as far as possible, its discipline, make no effort to improve their character, and through believing in a certain creed can miraculously become perfect, simply by dying, are deceiving themselves. We do no become “perfect” of a strong and perfect character, either by believing in a creed or through dying, but be attainment. God helps those who help themselves, and those people who will not strive after building their character cut themselves off from all the glorious and wonderful possibilities of success.

Before, however, thinking about such lofty things as entering the Path of Success, and becoming changed into, and modeled after the Divine Image, the average person may wish to know how to overcome bad habits and weaknesses of character which are keeping him from succeeding in his life, and, possibility, undermining his health. Most people are conscious of some wrong habits that ought to be overcome, and weakness of character should be eradicated. Possibly they have fought against their habits or weaknesses for years, prayed until they are tired of praying, made innumerable attempts at turning over a new leaf, yet all in vain, for they are as firmly in the toils as ever. Many people give up the struggle and endeavor to lead a sort of Jekyll and Hyde existence, being outwardly a Christian or righteous person, but inwardly something quite different. Yet they find no satisfaction in this dual life, for they know that they are drifting towards an abyss.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."

Yet there is a way of escape that is open to all. The Infinite One has provided man with powers that are apparently unlimited: powers which can be used either to build up the life and character or to destroy them. These powers are those of the sub-conscious mind. This mind is a reservoir of unlimited, tireless forces, and becomes, if we use it aright, our best friend, or, if we mis-use it, our worst enemy.

Acts 17:11 Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Every time a bad action is indulged in, wonderful changes take place in the nervous system, and energy becomes stored up in certain cells, so as to make it easier to do the wrong act on a future occasion. It is equally true that every time a good action is done, similar changes, but in the reverse direction, take place, that make the doing of the same action easier in the future. This explains the tremendous power of habit. Our body, brain and nervous system become changed, either for the worse or the better, according to the type of action indulged in.

We do not yet fully realize what a wonderful adventure life is. We are entrusted with tremendous powers, and by adding or omitting the first success ingredient, the building of character, we can either destroy ourselves or build up ourselves in every possible direction. What a responsibility, yet what a glorious opportunity to manifest success in your life!

Carol Biondo, Life Style Mentor and Successful Entrepreneur, is helping many become the next success story.