I always thought it was fascinating as the Internet developed that the spammers came out of the woodwork and developers had to devise anti-Spam checkers of who a user was for blogs and also form entry.
It seems in life we all want people's character to be what it appears to be. How many times in life do we find people that break their promises? You know, professionals you work with or even clients say one thing and do something else. They are often inconsistent or terribly unpredictable. It can be very eye opening to you at times. Maybe they should fill out some cryptic letters and numbers before you deal with them.
What's funny in the world of "watching you" there just seems to be cameras everywhere these days. Why is this? We have red light cameras, and in large cities all sorts of security monitoring cameras. Yes the world has terrorism to be concerned about, but don't you sometimes feel a camera is just following you everywhere these days? The cameras are built into cell phones too.
There is an old phrase that says true character is what you do when "no one is watching." While we can't be perfect or saints and never do anything wrong or have poor judgment at times in our lives, shouldn't it be something we strive to be to be an integrated self, showing the same person when people are watching as when people are not? I think when people work with us in business and also in our relationships that is the ideal.
When it comes to making the BIG IMPACT in life with those around you, allow your REAL McCOY self to shine through.
Gary, Never underestimate the ingenuity of the American people. Or their stupidity for that matter. No matter how many times we've seen it in the news, criminals are caught every day looking into the camera while robbing 7-11 or an ATM.
The world has changed, and we adapt. Darwin was right.
It irritated me when I noticed cameras at stop lights nearby. They weren't placed there for safety reasons. They are simply baby sitters watching for red light runners. What a bunch of Bologna!
Gary: You ARE the Real McCoy and you're ALWAYS right about integrity and ethics! I do hate that we're 'watched' when we don't know it but, I'm also glad that we are in the event that something happens that needs to be reviewed to say, catch a criminal. If we were all 'good' all of the time...
This also reminds me of 'when the cat's away, the mice will play!' and when parents have cameras in their homes that catch their four-legged children doing crazy things!
Gary - Good advice, as typical. I would have no hesitation in referring a client or friend or family member to you. Trust is probably the most redeeming element in this profession.
Gary--Character=What you do when no one is watching. Very true...if only more people lived their lives like the whole world was watching.
Richard: The criminals smiling into the cameras truly are stupid.
Hi Mel: I agree, the red light cameras are for city coffers, pure and simple.
Debe: Yes, our base instincts seem to set in when the "cat's away." But somehow with maturity (code word for getting older), we stop playing games. Some grow older but never grow up. Those are the ones you have to watch out for.
Jason: Thanks Jason. Coming from a man of integrity like yourself that is high praise.
Hello Pat: I am blown away by the depth of your comments. I need to write longer blogs to offset the lengths of your comments :) Or Active Rain needs to give you 200+ points on your comments. That book you mentioned sounds like interesting reading. Just be your God given self and don't be jaded by the world and those that disappoint you. There will ALWAYS be people that disappoint not only because we are all human but that is just the way some are. I agree it is painful to trust and then be hurt. But then you need to get back up on the horse and trust again.
Teri: If more people did live like that we could probably get rid of all the cameras.
Gary - another great post you have written today. At times, I find myself disappointed with people if I trusted them, and that trust was violated. I like connecting with people, and sometimes do not understand their behavior. However, I am positive by nature, and align myself with those people who are positive as well. And for me, I try to be the same consistent person to everyone.
Some of the cameras are ridiculous. I don't need one, I look out for my own self! Great post Gary!
Hi Sharon: We can never explain the behavior of others and they do perplex us at times. That's why I think we have that forgiveness word and get to practice it. I try to be consistent too. So much so that it can be boring but people better know where you are coming from being consistent. You are right to align with those who are positive. The grouches drag you down. If we are good with ourselves why would we need cameras everywhere? It's for the OTHER people Sharon.
People remember-never forget-how we've made them feel...so we better be REAL with them. Great post again my friend Gary.
Gary, I yam what I yam, as Popeye would say. I try to be the same person when I am with buyers and sellers as I am with my friends, with the possible exception of the bad language I have been known to use now and again. (Sort of kidding, here)!. My older son has never seemed to be embarrassed by me in all of my exuberance. When we went to Kutztown for parent's day, I asked him if he wanted me to "tone it down". He said, Mom, you just be yourself, you never embarrass me. My younger son is embarrassed by the way I breath, walk, talk, laugh and most especially, sing in front of his friends. So I tell him the same thing I would tell a snob; tough, I yam what I yam. And I have a feeling that you are too!
There is an old phrase that says true character is what you do when "no one is watching." The problem is that someone is always watching nowadays but you are right we do need to be ourselves all of the time. I learned a long time ago I can only be myself.
Gary, I often say it too, "Integrity is what you do when no one is watching"...but either one works for me as it's the same character and integrity go hand in hand. When we aren't being noticed or getting accolades for what we do, what do we do? How do we treat people? We are who we are and it's pretty hard to actually hide it from people. THEY KNOW. Thanks for another thought provoking post.