There was a 60Minutes spotlight on Frank Hall, who became known as the hero he’s always been two years ago during the shooting at Chardon High. He doesn’t think of himself that way, but he is; he risked his life to protect the kids in that room, standing in the gap.

What happened there and at many, many schools across our nation is tragic and unthinkable. As a people who pride ourselves on watching out for the under dog, we don’t hear enough about the people who have the kind of courage Frank Hall displayed that day and every day in countless small ways.

Michael Hyatt put it this way on his blog story titled, The Reflex of Character:

For each of us, there comes a moment—perhaps several such moments—when we don’t have time to think. We can only react. And we do so out of our character.

What we do flows out of who we are. Being precedes doing. How we respond comes as a result of all the choices we have made throughout our lives.

Our choices become our actions. Our actions become our habits. Our habits become our character.

(The title for his post stems from a phrase used by Scott Pellsey in the video above.) I would suggest just going to Michael Hyatt’s website, watching the video and reading what he has to say on the subject.

I cried as I watched this video because I know what Mr. Hall experienced that day was an act requiring great character and courage. His heart is rejoicing and broken in the same instant. What truly touched me about it was knowing he is real.

People of great courage and character do exist, and some are passionate about teaching the next generation to carry on in the same way. He told them, “Serve your family,” but I think he meant so much more than just the people you are related to.

When I wrote my first book I dedicated it to my daughters, but it’s truly for all my children and every child who will grow up to be an active part of this world:

Your beauty lies not in
how you look or what you wear.
It is in the depths of your heart
where character and courage reside.

Thanks, Frank Hall, for reminding me that the reflex of character is a present and active force in the world.

Be the beauty we see.