Character is a diamond that scratches every other stone. --Cyrus A. Bartol

What’s your character?
How do you treat others?
How would you see yourself if you were your own friend?
Do you realize how much power you have to change someone else’s mood?
Their day?
Their life?

Think about it.

You’re not sure about the outfit you’re wearing for a party, you feel a bit overdressed. But then someone sincerely compliments it and suddenly you feel confident and don’t worry about it for the rest of the night.

Frustrated and annoyed, everything is just going wrong today. Your car wouldn’t start, you were fifteen minutes late to class, forgot your homework, stuttered when called on, and tripped on the stairs. But then a handsome stranger holds the door open for you on your way out of school. And suddenly, today has become a good day.

It works the opposite too.

So certain about your major, it feels so right and in line with what you feel like your purpose is, and then someone laughs at the idea of you being in charge of an engineering project with your horrible math skills. You think about it, and realize they’re right: it would be dangerous to put you in charge. More time goes by, and you convince yourself engineering isn’t cut out for you. So you change your major.

You have so much power. You can make or ruin someone’s life with a simple comment, an action, a movement. So why bring someone down when you could be helping them change the world? Your character is a diamond. And you have the power to sharpen the stones around you.

Activity: Get out a piece of paper, a sticky note, etc. Write down one family member and one old friend you haven't communicated with in a while. Now stop reading and call them both right now. If you can't call, send them an e-mail or better yet, an actual letter!

Who are people you see on a regular basis? Today, tell one of them something nice about what they are wearing or doing. Smile at everyone at work, at the store, in class. Smile when you come home. Even if you aren't having a good day, the least you can do is not bring others down with your mood. And when you treat others great, you'll start to feel great too.

Who are your closet friends? Tonight, rent a comedy movie and invite them all over. Taboo recent drama, past flare ups, current issues. Say something positive to each of them, even if it's subtle. Whether they show it or not, they appreciate it. If you can't do it tonight, cancel everything until you can! If you absolutely cannot, schedule a night this week and let everyone know the scoop by tomorrow. A night with your friends can't wait.

Keep the diamond strong: Think about your flaws. But don’t think of them as flaws. Think of them as obstacles. As a diamond you can crush right through them.

Write down some of your biggest character problems. Maybe you don’t listen enough. Maybe you brag too often. Maybe you’re a bit hypocritical. Write each one down on a separate sheet of paper, and use that paper to record your progress.

Changing your thinking, your values, your morals doesn’t happen overnight. Your mind reacts to how it is used to reacting, so your improvements must develop into habits. Slow down and pay attention to how you act. Write your favorite quote on your mirror with a dry erase marker. Tape the papers with your obstacles on the wall next to your bed. Wake up every day ready to improve. You not only have the power to sharpen your diamond by doing this, but your diamond sharpens others, so develop your character into someone you are proud of being.