7 powerful lessons from the book "The Road to Character"

1. Humility as Strength: True strength lies not in arrogance or self-promotion, but in recognizing one's limitations and seeking improvement. Humility is the foundation of character.

2. The Importance of Moral Ecology: The moral environment we inhabit shapes our character. Surrounding ourselves with virtuous people and engaging in meaningful relationships can foster our own moral growth.

3. The Role of Struggle: Overcoming challenges and adversity can refine our character and deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world. Embracing struggle is essential for personal growth.

4. The Dangers of Self-Absorption: Excessive self-focus can lead to narcissism and a lack of empathy. By shifting our attention outward, we can cultivate a more compassionate and meaningful existence.

5. The Power of Love: Love, in its various forms, can motivate us to transcend our self-interest and act with kindness and generosity. It is a powerful force for positive change.

6. The Value of Delayed Gratification: Resisting immediate temptations and prioritizing long-term goals requires self-discipline and character. By delaying gratification, we can achieve greater fulfillment.

7. The Importance of Moral Courage: Standing up for what is right, even when it is difficult, requires moral courage. By developing this virtue, we can become agents of positive change in the world.

True prosperity is about more than just accumulating wealth. It’s about the legacy you leave, the lives you touch, and the impact you have. Stinginess may protect you financially, but generosity brings richness to life that money can’t buy.

A wise woman recognizes when her life is out of balance and summons the courage to act to correct it, she knows the meaning of true generosity, happiness is the reward for a life lived in harmony, with a courage and grace.

Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.

The sea - this truth must be confessed - has no generosity. No display of manly qualities - courage, hardihood, endurance, faithfulness - has ever been known to touch its irresponsible consciousness of power.

It is wrong to assume that men of immense wealth are always happy (John D Rockefeller).

I have come across a number of posts where people compare the life style of some billionaires to that of a non billionaire where a billionaire will be seen wearing an unbranded T-shirt while the wanna be billionaire will be wearing branded clothes and all sorts of expensive chains. And I've seen some people even call some billionaires too greedy that they even fail to buy themselves branded things.

What people should appreciate is that each person has a purpose in life and that people want to get wealth for various reasons and therefore using material things to measure wealth is misleading people especially the upcoming generation.Ive observed how people in their 20s are so obsessed with material things to the point that they focus more on investing on themselves than in themselves which in turn leaves them empty inside. When there is is no enemy within, the enemy outside cannot do any harm ( African Proverb). No wonder Benjamin Franklin said "Take a coin from your purse and invest it in your mind. It will come pouring out of your mind and overflow your purse.”

Some people are so focused on solving problems while others work hard to have money so that they can show that they have money. Yes success is a relative word and means different things to different people but true success comes from living ones purpose. That is why John D Rockefeller said "The poorest man I know is one who has nothing but money".

As Jim Rohn said "As humans we where not designed to pursue money or success then money gets attracted to you" That is why your main focus should be solving people's problems by providing Value. So if ones goal is to solve people's problems, one will be so excited when they accomplish that and that is the thing that will matter the most.I have noticed that most billionaires are too busy too busy solving people's lives to even worry about what they are wearing. If ones goal is to wear branded outfits when they have money, that is what they will get definitely focus on when ever they have money.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with wearing branded clothes, I just think we shouldn't compare people based on how they dress or look. What matters more is what brings fulfillment in their lives. Just make sure whatever you are doing doesn't make you feel empty at the end of the day and is affecting other people in a positive way.Albert Einstein said "Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

Mark Zuckerberg founder of Facebook and one of the richest men in the world mostly wears similar Tshirts to avoid wasting time on picking which one to wear. His focus is bettering the lives of people. Jay Shetty said " We are wired for generosity but educated for greedy. People who help other people are happier"

Sadio Mané is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the Senegal national team. Considered one of the best players in the world and amongst the greatest African players of all time, he is known for his pressing, dribbling, and speed. VSadio Mane has been named African Footballer of Year after a season that saw him kick the winning penalty for Senegal as they claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations title and repeat the feat when they secured the World Cup qualification.

Sadio once said "I don't pay too much attention to much attention to buying expensive cars and or smart devices. My priority is to always make sure my people (Senegal) go to their beds with better food, better hospital services and schools. I won't rest until I make a better impact in my community. And am proud of other footballers who spoil themselves with luxury cars and apartments. It's their money, they deserve to spend it in their own way. In the future I might also be able to buy luxury things but for now, I want everyone to be in better conditions back home".

Sadio Mane has received France Football's inaugural Socrates Award, in recognition of his charity work in his native Senegal. Mane, 30, is accustomed to writing headlines on the pitch, but it's his continued efforts off it that are making the biggest difference

Anyone one has the right to spend their money which ever way they want. Others choose to spend it to better other people's lives, others choose to spend it to work for them while others want to show others that they actually have the money. Remember time is money. Stop wasting your energy on things that don't even matter. Physical appearance, height or complexion matter 1% for success. The rest of the 99% is your hard and smart work. At the end of the day focus on things that bring you fulfillment. Viktor Frankl said, "When a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure". Remember you are enough.

"The Magic of Thinking Big" by David Schwartz:

1. Believe in Yourself: Schwartz emphasizes that believing in oneself is the foundation for achieving success. A positive self-image and confidence can open doors to opportunities. By thinking big and cultivating self-belief, individuals can overcome challenges and reach their potential.

2. Set High Goals: The book encourages readers to set ambitious goals rather than settling for mediocrity. Schwartz argues that thinking big leads to bigger achievements. By aiming high and pushing boundaries, individuals can inspire themselves to take action and strive for excellence.

3. Take Action: Schwartz stresses the importance of taking action to turn dreams into reality. Simply thinking big is not enough; individuals must be willing to put in the effort and make consistent progress toward their goals. Action breeds results, and the more one acts, the more opportunities arise.

4. Think Positively: A positive mindset is crucial for success. Schwartz advocates for cultivating positive thoughts and attitudes, which can influence behavior and outcomes. By focusing on solutions rather than problems, individuals can create a more constructive environment for themselves and others.

5. Develop Leadership Qualities: The book highlights the importance of leadership in achieving success. Schwartz asserts that effective leaders inspire and motivate others. By developing leadership qualities such as empathy, communication, and decisiveness, individuals can influence those around them and create a positive impact.

6. Overcome Fear and Worry: Schwartz discusses the detrimental effects of fear and worry on personal and professional growth. He encourages readers to confront their fears, take calculated risks, and avoid dwelling on negative thoughts. By managing fear, individuals can take bold steps toward their goals.

7. Build a Strong Network: The book emphasizes the significance of building relationships and networking with others. Schwartz argues that surrounding oneself with positive, ambitious individuals can foster growth and create opportunities. A supportive network can provide encouragement, mentorship, and collaboration.

8. Use Your Imagination: Schwartz encourages readers to harness their imagination to visualize success and innovative solutions. Creative thinking can lead to unique ideas and approaches that differentiate individuals from the competition. By thinking outside the box, individuals can unlock new possibilities.

9. Learn from Failure: Failure is an inevitable part of the journey to success. Schwartz advises readers to view failures as learning experiences rather than setbacks. By analyzing what went wrong and using those lessons, individuals can adapt and improve, ultimately leading to greater success.

10. Practice Gratitude and Generosity: The book concludes with the idea that practicing gratitude and generosity can enhance one's life and relationships. Schwartz emphasizes that being thankful for what one has and giving back to others creates a positive cycle that fosters happiness and fulfillment.

"A Lady asked an old street vendor: "How much do you sell your eggs for?" The old man replied "0.50¢ an egg, madam.” The Lady responde, “I'll take 6 eggs for $2.00 or I'm leaving.” The old salesman replied, “Buy them at the price you want, Madam. This is a good start for me because I haven't sold a single egg today and I need this to live.”

She bought her eggs at a bargain price and left with the feeling that she had won. She got into her fancy car and went to a fancy restaurant with her friend. She and her friend ordered what they wanted. They ate a little and left a lot of what they had asked for. So they paid the bill, which was $150. The ladies gave $200 and told the fancy restaurant owner to keep the change as a tip.

This story might seem quite normal to the owner of the fancy restaurant, but very unfair to the egg seller. The question it raises is;
Why do we always need to show that we have power when we buy from the needy?
And why are we generous to those who don't even need our generosity?

We once read somewhere that a father used to buy goods from poor people at a high price, even though he didn't need the things. Sometimes he paid more for them. His children were amazed. One day they asked him "why are you doing this dad?" The father replied: "It's charity wrapped in dignity.”

I know that most of you will not share this message, but if you are one of the people who have taken the time to read this far...
Then this message of attempted "humanisation" will have gone one step further in the right direction."

God gave you plenty of beauty, intelligence, generosity, and love but forgot to give you one thing – Mercy. If you had even an ounce of mercy in your heart, you would not have treated me the way you have today.

“Conquer the angry one by not getting angry; conquer the wicked by goodness; conquer the stingy by generosity, and the liar by speaking the truth. [ Verse 223 ]”