Want to be a joyful person?
Build your…

Bridge of Character

 

Title: Journey to Joy

Childhood: reality, innocence; “I am the centre of the universe.”

Adulthood: reality, wisdom, joy, compassion;  “I am part of the universe.”

The Bridge: patience, integrity, perseverance, respect, responsibility, dependability, self-control, kindness, honesty, faithfulness, courage, goodwill, forgiveness, humbleness,…

The Pit of Despair: self-centredness, self-pity, laziness, apathy, disregard, anger, bitterness, revenge, arrogance, fear,…

At the beginning of the bridge: “A helper will come.”

Between the bridge and the pit: “You can fall.” “You can jump.” “You can be pulled down.”

Thoughtfulness is the ability to behave, without being asked, in kind ways towards others.

Patience is the ability to cheerfully do what you should be doing right now while you wait for what you think you deserve.

Discernment is the ability to recognize the wisest course of action and the true character of people.

Calmness is the ability to pull your energy inside yourself, breathe deeply and think clearly.

Peacefulness is the ability to have faith that the future will be good even when the present is terrible.

Integrity is the ability to be honest and kind even when no one is watching.

Resilience is the ability to pick yourself up and keep going even after disappointments.

Respect is the ability to value people, places, things and ideas.

Perseverance is the ability to keep your focus and keep going even when life gets difficult.

Forgiveness is the ability to let go of hurts and hope that people who harm you will learn to be good people.  

(Click HERE for more about forgiveness.)

Responsibility is the ability to recognize and accept that which is within your own power.

Humility is the ability to set aside the desire to be right in pursuit of the truth.

Dependability is the ability to take care of your responsibilities on time.

More Character Traits with Definitions (and a matching worksheet)

Benjamin Franklin’s recommended character traits

Reflect on your own character

Become an abstract artist and make a bridge without words…

Drawings courtesy of grade eight students: Bronson. Kaitlyn, Isaac, Lisa, Isabel, Crystal, Mitchell, Michaella, Kyle, Jasmine

[This page may be copied for use with students if this credit is provided: ©2013 Sophie Rosen.]

“The prime function of the children’s book writer is to write a book that is so absorbing, exciting, funny, fast and beautiful that the child will fall in love with it. And that first love affair between the young child and the young book will lead hopefully to other loves for other books and when that happens the battle is probably won. The child will have found a crock of gold. He will also have gained something that will help to carry him most marvelously through the tangles of his later years.” – Roald Dahl

Criteria for Art Project:

1. Accuracy: all the words and phrases are placed in the correct sections.

2. Creativity: the work shows an overall design and/or details that indicate a unique and life-affirming vision

3. Skill: the work shows exceptional attention to detail – drawing, colouring, neatness, ease of understanding