test of character

many may not agree with me but i believe that the true test of the strength of character of a person is the humility to admit one's follies. to commit mistakes is part of human nature. we judge things erroneously at times causing us to make decisions that may not be at all beneficial to the most number of people, including ourselves. but it is when we admit we erred that we are able to see things in a different light and make amends.

the problem with many of us is pride. no wonder it is listed as one of the seven deadly sins. it is with our pride that we refuse to admit mistakes lest they be misconstrued as weakness of character or a sign of ineptitude. our pride clouds our ability to see things with impartiality and forbids us to correct our blunders. we spurn the opinions of well-meaning people and justify our actions instead of listening to them and rectifying and learning from our mistakes.

the wisest of people are those who know they do not know everything and that havings things screwed up can actually happen without meaning to. being able to acknowledge this is one mean feat. our courage to recognize and humbly admit our imperfections helps us to confront our pride, to correct our mistakes, to ask forgiveness from those we wronged. that is a test of our character. and that is when we are able to transcend our humanness.