When character lacks, character stands out

In a recent episode of my favorite podcast series, Bear Grease, host Clay Newcomb said, "When character lacks, character stands out." It was a two-part episode featuring the Villines family, multi-generational loggers in the Ozark Mountains. They do business today the way their fathers and grandfathers did: on a handshake.

It's a practice both foreign and familiar. Familiar, in that I bet many of us knew someone whose word was good enough that a contract was never required. Foreign, in that you just don't see much of it today, and if you did, you might even question the person offering this old-fashioned form of agreement.

Character can be defined as "qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity."

To Clay's point, it sure seems like we see so little of it nowadays that when we come across someone with strong character, it stands out like a bright light. I'd follow that light.

If you like compelling stories that explore the culture, traditions and history of rural America, I highly recommend the Bear Grease podcast. You can find part two of the episode featuring the Villines family here.