When No One Is Watching: A Legacy of Character

By Dennis Simonich

It is in the everyday and the mundane tasks of life that we become who we arein the split-second decisions, in the moments we prove what we stand for, how we treat others, and the values we hold no matter the circumstances. It is in the shared experiences with those who have walked life in front of us that we learn the values and traits that define our actions.

Character, by definition, is the attribute that makes up or distinguishes an individual. Often it is difficult to describe yet instantly becomes recognizable in ones attitude, feelings, actions, responses, and behavior. Character is a choice, and those who daily choose it display integrity, trust, loyalty, dependability, and leadership.

The author identifies seven character traits, or life values, that have been passed down through four generations and are currently being taught to the fifthtraits learned through hard times and positive experiences of the author and his ancestors. Through his stories of life growing up in Montana to the day-to-day experiences in his career, raising children, and his relationship between his own son and grandson, the reader sees years of inner character in action.

Character is measured by what one does when no one is watching. It is an outward expression of a persons inner values. These traits are not inherited or inborn; they are accepted, learned, practiced, and in time, become habit. Inner character traits are those qualities that make a person distinctive and help to shape families, friends, and societies. When our days on earth are done, the most important gift we leave to those coming after is our legacy. Will yours be a life of character?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Aug 14, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512782486

Dennis Simonich

Dennis Simonich grew up in Southwestern Montana, worked on his grandfathers farm early in life, graduated from Montana State University then moved to Denver, Colorado for his first job. He never left Denver. His fascination with family heritage and values began at a young age, so when he saw character values talked about and lived out in his ancestors it left a lasting impression. Adherence to these values has carried him through a joyful marriage of 50 years and counting, having an awesome family, a rewarding professional career, and a cadre of lifelong friends. Since these values were essential in guiding his life, he felt a prompting to not only share the story with his family but also with others. When No One is Watching--A Legacy of Character is his first book.

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Copyright © 2017 Dennis Simonich.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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ISBN: 978-1-5127-8247-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8249-3 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-8248-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017905255

WestBow Press rev. date: 07/31/2017

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. Caleb-Young Engineer

➢   Yearly Review

➢   Lunch Meeting

2. Meeting Number One

➢   First Generation, Grandfather Joe

➢   First Generation, Grandfather Otto

➢   Second Generation

➢   Third Generation—Early Years

➢   Integrity

➢   Attitude

3. Meeting Number Two

➢   Loyalty

➢   Gratitude

➢   Counting Our Blessings

➢   Compassion

4. Meeting Number Three

➢   Third Generation Early Years Continued

➢   School Years

➢   University Years

➢   First Job

➢   Patience

➢   Self-Control

➢   Sporting Clay Outing

5. Mistakes Made

6. Meeting Number Four

7. Response to John

Author Comments

Acknowledgements

To Tom,

You inspired many during your sixty four years of life; we miss you, but have assurance of our reunion in Heaven.

Introduction

One day a coworker challenged me to jot down some Words of Wisdom. My interest was sparked. About the same time my son, Luke, also pushed me to write my story for future generations. By accepting these challenges, I wrote this book as a legacy to my family and encouragement for them to pass these character traits to future generations. At the time of writing, the fifth generation is learning and beginning to live these life values. The book is fiction based on facts. The setting in which the stories are told and Caleb’s profession are fictional, most of the stories about Opa are true.

Our world has become overwhelmed with technical and sophisticated How To books. It seemed timely to present a more simple and practical approach. This book is based on four generations of old fashioned family values, simple yet profound. We learned from the hard times and rewarding experiences of our forefathers and captured the essential values that lasted through generations. I once heard it said, Character traits/values are not the most important thing, they are the only thing.

Another stimulus for this writing is to explore the mystery of character, difficult to describe, yet instantly recognized in attitudes, feelings, actions, responses, and behavior. Character is a choice, talent is a gift. It is also a quiet confidence in one’s self. This confidence has sometimes been defined as a feeling that you respect yourself and a feeling of happiness when you or someone you know does something good, difficult, or helpful. When you hear someone described as a person of character, it calls to mind positive thoughts such as integrity, trust, loyalty and leadership.

Character traits (values) described on the following pages, have proven to:

• Build confidence and courage to face the challenges of life.

• Reduce stress, an all-consuming element in today’s society.

• Create internal consistency.

• Foster a positive attitude and happiness.

• Stimulate determination/persistence. It means never giving up in spite of short term failures. These failures are usually events and they build character.

• Display authenticity. People see who we really are through words and actions.

• Show respect and concern for others.

• Model humility and a willingness to admit mistakes.

• Practice prompt listening, kind words, generosity, simplicity of life, respect and care for others.

Character is measured by what one does when no one else is watching. Essentially it becomes, and is, a way of life and a path to peace.

Character is what a person is while reputation is how one appears. Character is an outward projection of a person’s values. Character comes from the inside. Character is built gradually and steady. Character has also been defined as what I strive to be, rather than what I strive to do. It’s not what happens to us that defines our character, it is how we respond to what happens to us.

Character traits are qualities that make a person distinctive. They are the expression of one’s values. They are not inherited, or inborn, rather they are accepted, learned, become habits, and become conduct for life.

Definitions of character include:

• Attributes that make up and distinguish a person

• Mental, moral, and ethical traits individualizing a person

• Moral excellence and steadfastness to principles

This book identifies seven basic character traits and provides the reader with narrative and examples of each. One purpose in writing the book is to provide others a tool for analyzing personal character traits. If one adopts and exercises these traits, life will become more controlled, peaceful, and joyful. Living our character traits means our choices, behaviors, and actions are guided by these values.

We all want to leave a legacy in our lifetime. Following is a song segment that will encourage us in how we live our lives:

Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful;

May the fire of our devotion light their way;

May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe;

And the lives we live inspire them to obey.

~Mohr

Songwriters Douglas Johnson and Kim Edwin Williams say it well in, Three Wooden Crosses:

It’s not what you take when you leave this world behind you; it’s what you leave behind you when you go.

Following are quotations by several notable people. These are inspirational and thought provoking in relation to character traits.

Most people say that it is intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: It is character.

~Albert Einstein

When wealth is gone, little is lost; when health is gone, something is lost; but when character is gone, all is lost.

~Author Unknown

Ability will take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.

~John Wooden

Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.

~Abraham Lincoln

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

~Helen Keller

Character is who we are; it’s not something we ‘forget.’ Those who have a loss of character make a choice.

~Author Unknown

Over the years, in my life experiences, I am continually reminded that character shows more in what we do than in what we say. Character traits are exercised day by day, action by action, and experience by experience. Evidence of character traits are clearly displayed in difficult and life crisis situations.

I heard and I forgot, I saw and I remembered, I experienced and I understood.

~Kurt Hahn

This quote rings true of many life situations, including exercising our character traits.

Following is a quote found in a fortune cookie I opened during the course of writing this book:

Your principles mean more to you than any money or success.

~Peking Noodle Co.

Thank you in advance for taking time to read this book. I hope it enlightens you. Each of us must decide the value of our character and how it affects ourselves and others.

Chapter 1

Caleb-Young Engineer

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6)

Caleb is a young mechanical engineer, three years out of college, single and is working at EZGR a medium sized multi-disciplined architectural/engineering design firm. As Project Manager in the Denver office, his primary responsibility involves design and development of construction drawings for mechanical systems in institutional and medical facilities.

He enjoys his work and has become proficient. Field construction crews comment on the accuracy of his drawings and specifications. They are impressed with his demeanor, personality, and attitude when he visits their jobsites. It is apparent to those working with Caleb that he is intelligent, conscientious, respectful, and possesses a strong work ethic. Everyone who works with Caleb notices something different and special about him. There is something that they cannot quite figure out, yet respect and appreciate.

Caleb enjoys sports. He grew up playing competitive soccer and basketball. He learned teamwork, discipline and a strong work ethic at an early age. His coaches commented on how teachable he was, learning plays and game strategies quickly and precisely.

During his junior high and high school years, his coaches and teammates saw a life attitude that set him apart from most other young men.

Yearly Review

Caleb was scheduled for his yearly review during the first week of July, his anniversary date with the firm. The department head, John, also a mechanical engineer, had been employed by one other company before joining EZGR eleven years earlier. John worked his way up and was named a principal three years ago. Following his promotion, John assumed full responsibility of the mechanical division. Protocol at EZGR included direct supervisors conducting the initial yearly review, followed by the department head’s review.

Caleb, being cautious by nature, tended to be a bit nervous with this type of meeting. He prepared well in advance. Procrastination was not a part of his life. He knew from previous yearly reviews that one cannot totally prepare for this sort of interactive meeting. He mentally reviewed his character traits and began to relax.

The meeting took place in the corner conference room with two walls of windows. One faced the majestic Rocky Mountains with a clear view of Mt. Evans (14,264 feet elevation). Caleb arrived early, as one of his character traits is self-control/self-discipline. He sat facing west allowing him a panoramic view of the Rockies. His thoughts flashed back to the many times he had ventured into the mountains during his childhood. Outdoor activities were a side benefit of growing up in the Denver metro area. Seeing the mountains relaxed him. Good memories have a way of doing that.

John was a couple minutes late. He apologized and stated that he had received a call concerning a design issue on one of the projects. He carried one sheet of paper, the EZGR standard review form. Various sections of the form were used for entry into the human resources data base. It contained information related to job performance, customer, and inter-office relations. These sections were completed by Caleb’s direct supervisor and by John. Both gave Caleb exemplary comments. At the bottom of the sheet were several two-way questions which included Caleb’s input. This was a new section on the review sheet. It caught Caleb a little off guard.

John asked the first question, "Where do you want to be