THE SOUL & IMPACT OF BEAUTIFUL CHARACTER NOW

How is soul related to character? How does character impact life? These and other questions about character have been explored by scientists, philosophers, and artists for millennia.

We’re sharing some ideas, images, and inspiring quotes, as well as definitions of character strengths, as explored by esteemed psychologist Martin Seligman and by the Let It Ripple organization.

1. HOPE

Character Strength: Optimism/Hope -- “Expecting the best in the future and working to achieve it; believing that a good future is something that can be brought about.”

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.

-- Desmond Tutu

We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

2. LOVE

Character Strength: Love -- “Valuing close relations with others, in particular those in which sharing and caring are reciprocated; being close to people.”

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

-- Mother Teresa

3. CREATIVITY

Character Strength: Creativity -- “Thinking of novel and productive ways to conceptualize and do things; includes artistic achievement but is not limited to it.”

Creativity takes courage.

-- Henri Matisse

4. GRATITUDE

Character Strength: Gratitude -- “Being aware of and thankful for the good things that happen; taking time to express thanks.”

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

-- John F. Kennedy

Gratitude is the single best predictor of well-being.

-- Martin Seligman

5. LOVE OF LEARNING

Character Strength: Love of Learning -- “Mastering new skills, topics, and bodies of knowledge, whether on one’s own or formally; obviously related to the strength of curiosity but goes beyond it to describe the tendency to add systematically to what one knows.”

-- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

-- Pablo Picasso

6. BRAVERY

Character Strength: Bravery -- “Not shrinking from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain; speaking up for what is right even if there is opposition; acting on convictions even if unpopular; includes physical bravery but is not limited to it.”

To me, bravery is to stand up for what you believe in.

-- Sophie Turner

Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.

-- Paulo Coelho

7. HUMOR

Character Strength: Humor -- “Liking to laugh and tease; bringing smiles to other people; seeing the light side; making (not necessarily telling) jokes.”

Like a welcome summer rain, humor may suddenly cleanse and cool the earth, the air and you.

-- Langston Hughes

Humor is mankind's greatest blessing.

-- Mark Twain

8. SPIRITUALITY

Character Strength: Spirituality -- “Having coherent beliefs about the higher purpose and meaning of the universe; knowing where one fits within the larger scheme; having beliefs about the meaning of life that shape conduct and provide comfort.”

Science is not only compatible with spirituality; it is a profound source of spirituality.

-- Carl Sagan

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.

-- Pierre Teilhard de Chardin