The Road to Depth: Thinking about what Character Is

David Brooks: Some people seem to lead inner lives that are richer and more substantive than the rest of us. How do they do it? This talk is a survey of some of history's most substantive characters. How love, suffering, struggle, surrender and obedience lead them to their depth.

[@3meandyou]

I’m so proud to find you. You’re an inspiration to change in a positive way. Thank you for making a world a difference 🙏🏽

[@alohaleslie9407]

My 20 year old grandson died by suicide 12 years ago. People thought they were being helpful by saying, "He's in Heaven now," or ask, "Was he on drugs?" (he wasn't), or worse, people who commit suicide won't go to to heaven, or they won't say anything because as you said, they don't want to bring him up for fear that it will be painful for us to remember. You're right...he's in our thoughts 24-7 to a lesser or greater degree. It helps to talk about him, the beauty of who he was, how sensitive and loving he was, etc. Love comes in many packages, but the best kind of Agape (love), IMO, is to just be present to another's pain, to silently listen, witness the tears or give a hug. Thanks so much.

[@EricMHowardII-yh1rn]

Opening up his heart, Mr Brooks talks about being a deep hearted soul . In connection to displaying genuine wisdom , Compassion matters. Wholehearted love matters. Tender affection matters.

[@alohaleslie9407]

Tender affection...beautiful. Lies right next to GRACE. 😇@@EricMHowardII-yh1rn

[@lomamataika7152]

His talk content is full of valuable observations and wisdom. So good.

[@dp5674]

And the greatest is Love .

[@evelynramos445]

Thank you for this great teachings

[@elizabethfreer1948]

God sends amazing people into our lives..MR Brooks is one of them! read this book! it’s soul reaching..

[@elizabethfreer1948]

God MR Brooks by sending you sent us a strong critical message and a profound series of life lessons.. Blessings and travel safe!

[@chinia9338]

Good Character and morality is exhibited during tough personal trials and tribulations.

[@DrPatriciaWorby]

Just discovered David. I think his insights and reflections easily match those of Jordan Peterson. Why is he not as well known? I'll have to listen to this again to truly distil this man's wisdom. As a therapist who deals with many of the effects of people's trauma and consequent striving to be better but without a moral compass his words offer great comfort that we can return to a state of deeper knowing.we

[@personal_finance_au]

He's kind. Peterson may come across as too harsh at times.

[@sandracaezza7234]

Very uplifting. It came to mind how many I know that could benefit from this video. For me wanting to know a new perspective gives great peace. I recently have been working toward forgiveness & it does release me from a painful marriage end. I work at healing everyday @ gratitude keeps me focused.

[@gooddaysahead1]

I've been listening and reading Mr. Brooks for maybe two decades. I have been able to see the changes in the direction of his insight. I've also been trying to distill what he has been trying to say. I could be wrong, but I think he is trying to teach us to understand and practice the Beatitudes.

[@Gorguruga]

What a brilliant talk. It's full of great advice, and some inspirational, poignant quotes.

[@howardkoor2796]

Gorguruga agreed.

[@EricMHowardII-yh1rn]

Mr Brooks talks about being a deep hearted soul with the intention of giving out understanding like slices of bread. That fed people well because of opening up his heart wide . Compassion, love, wisdom and connection matters.

[@monikarathbone3478]

what a gift - given at the right time - thank you

[@evelynramos445]

Liked this discourse few touch upon! Major !

[@ellenlockhart4494]

At times during this talk, I had chills and the hairs on my arms stood up.

[@joe1071]

It’s because you know you’re living small and could be doing more with the purpose of your life

[@Adagiowellness]

David Sums it up. His approach is not intrusive. Just being there is being mindful . It is a big challenge for many.

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

What an amazing and spiritual talk.

[@80sOGRE]

Happiness most often happens in hindsight. We are often just too busy and distracted, trying to do things we think will facilitate happiness down the road, only to look back at the years and realize we were happy then and just didn't know it. The darker years always have a way of contrasting our outlook and making us see the gold we held. And Happiness experienced only in hindsight isn't really a tragedy, for when your old and hours away from breathing your last, that kind of happiness may all you have left to hold onto before you say goodbye.

[@jamieputnam1964]

Gratitude allows you see what you have while it can be enjoyed, appreciated and thanked!

[@pamfontenot1]

It has been so inspiring watching David Brooks grow in character & wisdom. ☺️

[@wmmattharris101]

YES!

[@paulacrowne179]

Thank you for putting into words what I've been feeling...thank you..Paula

[@PoetMountain]

One of the most moving and I dare say poetic books to come about in a long time. Thank you David Brooks (& The Aspen Institute who does many good works) for this wonderful creation.

[@williampolston6517]

Poet Mountain hh

[@dp5674]

The Grace and Mercy of God is never unemployed.

[@SusanRCushing]

Excellent Video. Brought a smile to my face AGAIN. Susan

[@charlottelucero4900]

Acceptance is the ultimate goal of life: 💞🙏💞

[@KongLuvs]

Character training should be part of the core curriculum in our public schools here in the US. In my own education, the only time a teacher in kindergarten through college ever even mentioned character was my 11th grade english teacher, in reference to Benjamin Franklin (we were covering American authors at the time) and his list of character traits that he worked to try and cultivate throughout his life. That was a college prep class, too, so the majority of students at our school would not have been exposed to even that small token.

[@nancybartley4610]

@KingLuvs I agree with you that schools do little to build character. Hard work is not encouraged. Timeliness, kindness, perspective, empathy, orderliness, impulse control - the list goes on. We do not help children to understand that life is challenging, but they have resources to mediate and cope with these difficulties. (In fact, the schools are teaching kids they are victims. ) This all can be addressed through literature. Children's lit is soooo rich. The original version of The Tale of Despereaux Is absolutely one of the best for this. It should be read to first and second graders and revisited in the upper grades.

[@lucysweeney8347]

Remember this...The Parents ..not the Teachers ..are the FIRST EDUCATORS of the child. Count the number of parents in the world .Count the number of teachers in the world . The PARENTS ,not the Teachers. Take that in. For good.

[@nancybartley4610]

@@lucysweeney8347 You are right, of course, but that makes it all the more imperative that the schools address this issue because so many of the parents you mention aren't. The only chance some kids have is with good quality literature and people who know its value and how to share it.

[@maggie453]

Fascinating talk. Especially the concept of "Moral Ecology".

[@SorrySonny]

Great speech! I will go buy his books now!

[@ItsElliotGough]

This is truly amazing.

[@Elise3016]

No surprise he loves George Eliot, the greatest novelist of moral character and certainly not in a stifling, fundamentally religious sense. As someone who is not particularly religious, I found Mr. Brooks very refreshing.

[@readmelancholystrumpetmaster]

Snooze. Woman didn't know how to write. Ten pages on a horse sale? Please. Another over-rated bore

[@virginiaholzer7358]

❤so profound thanks so much❤Godbless

[@mariocasarez3896]

David Brooks is a conservative with a heart. Brooks for US Congress!!

[@user-qu3yw2pf6c]

A normal conservative!

[@user-qu3yw2pf6c]

He is a journalist, not a politician. I also mean that regarding his personality.

[@johnkussmann4268]

For president!

[@TheGoldenBone]

Amazing. This is …. I’m speechless. Wonderful. Thank you

[@diegonayalazo]

Thanks for sharing

[@bonitaderosa3134]

Don't worry about what you should do. You did it. You stood and listened and in so doing, they connected to you, someone who pondered these things such as character and caring, friendship and love. And that is what those people who shared with you did when their trauma happened to them. Traumas take you outside of yourself. It is almost as if you are actually not connected to the earth. Sharing is the string that keeps you from floating away. Keeps you grounded. It also dissipates the pain - some goes to you for you to ponder and the act of expressing it verbally gets it out of the system of the person who has experienced the trauma. I listen to you because you ponder, as I do, and it's good to know I'm not alone in this thinking. Plus, you're able to articulate far better than I ever could, so for me, it's nice to hear the language of what is only disconnected thoughts, symbols and images in my mind. Thank you for what you do.

[@evelynramos445]

"Love in right order" high standard

[@howardkoor2796]

What a mind..and heart!

[@deidremalloy9704]

So incredibly inspiring what a great man

[@davidsolomon8203]

It appears to me that Mr. Brooks’s strength for the morality speech grows out of his own deep, and abiding, search for the residence of his own morality!

[@fondarist4077]

Great lecture...❤

[@scottbrandenburg5871]

I feel pity for this lost soul, I'm sure he'll find peace one day though. Seek and ye shall find brother.

[@evelynramos445]

"Keep company" and about you. Just sit with

[@evelynramos445]

Always a good attention to! thus un- emphazied of inward cultivation

[@mariocasarez3896]

David Brooks is a conservative that Republicans need to listen to when he speaks about the danger of DJT. David Brooks for US Senate!

[@nancybartley4610]

What is DJT?

[@bayleaf301]

@@nancybartley4610Donald J Trump

[@LivinginCentralNewJersey-ep4bq]

Adam 1 and Adam 2; a fine line I walk each day...

[@evelynramos445]

Poverty at times allow no tears

[@r.horton7626]

hopeful, fascinating

[@evelynramos445]

"Love of moral order"

[@user-jb6th1qx9p]

33:41 Biblically speaking, grace is undeserved/unmerited/unearned divine favor. It _is_ a result of unconditional love, but not the love itself, since God loves everyone (all sinners), but only repentant sinners receive eternal life (2 Peter 3:9). Thought I'd clear that up :P

[@thegooseman6888]

님라프라스 that's a belief but not fact

[@evelynramos445]

Fail and fall right through

[@JWPeace_4MyBoys]

Or prevent it. It is not okay that men with problems can't control theirselves ! And right now ill pray for everyone except me and Evan because they might need it

[@evelynramos445]

Half confidence

[@evelynramos445]

"Degrade" and dishonoring yourself of your original self

[@evelynramos445]

"Moral demand," self expecting

[@pedro97w]

Why did the Aspen Institute gameplan how to spike the Laptop story?

[@evelynramos445]

Based on conditional

[@evelynramos445]

Two-foldness

[@evelynramos445]

Virtues not emphasize d of humanism within

[@evelynramos445]

Not dismiss someone loss such a unborn

[@roniquebreauxjordan1302]

Character training. ..

[@joanwatterson7386]

Kookiness

[@evelynramos445]

Not to cross

[@johnprendergast1338]

Character includes judging people mostly on appearance only ….Obama is a clue ….)))

[@evelynramos445]

Abandonment

[@CecilDSouza]

David is a good author and speaker but this talk was more reading. First 15 minutes.

[@evelynramos445]

False confidence

[@Callitout-kl1uq]

I wanted to like David Brooks, but I’ve come to find out that he abandoned his heritage, married a woman young enough to be his daughter, and writes about “eulogy virtues” while remaining a conservative who doesn’t like but won’t speak out against Trump. Seems he lacks moral courage in every facet of life.

[@thegooseman6888]

He sounds like a snob

[@mlnyonasi]

You sound like a cynic

[@mariocasarez3896]

He is an American treasure.