What is Character and how do you get it?

I have been away for some time and recently stumbled upon a poster of Dr. King's speech "I have a Dream" on the wall of a body shop, of all places. As I read each paragraph slowly, it struck me how little we intentionally identify or teach about that key word "Character". For all the times we allude to a persons' "goodness" or "wisdom" we often fail to identify the character traits we expect or require in one another.

Every culture of humans we know of reflects, at one time or another, on facets of character. In an era when name calling is often used to denigrate another, we rarely find ways to elevate others by affirming their praiseworthy characteristics.

In ancient times, the study of virtue was a core part of early education. If you have read Plato or Artistotle, or the poems of heroic times such as the Iliad and the Odyssey, you see how the subjects taught and the stories told identified the virtues lauded in their day.

What virtues do you hold and reflect in daily life and in the choices and friends you make? Some say every person has his or her price. What do you hold so dearly that you would never relinquish nor comprimise no matter what the price? Some operate under the model that if no one is hurt, then anything is allowed which is a very short sighted and immature view at best.

What if at our social gatherings, rather than ask others "What do you do?" we were to ask instead, "What kind of person are you?" We might listen more carefully to the answer and relinquish our trust for others more carefully. Unfortunately we most often hear this question asked only in moments of desperation.

What virtues do you embrace? Honesty, Dignity, Integrity, Fidelity, Consistency, Compassion, Empathy, Kindness, Thoughtfulness, Respect, Patience, Fortitude (Inner Strength), Thanksgiving, Joy, Passion, Endurance, Dependability, Hope, Faith, Charity, Wisdom? Is there anything you would not comprimise at any cost?