When Nobody’s Looking

1984. Big Brother is always watching. Back in 1949 when George Orwell wrote this, it was really science fiction. Now this fiction has become reality. Can you go anywhere without being seen, noticed, or recorded? Between your phone, the satellites, and anybody else looking to make a viral video, there is a chance you are always in the spotlight.

One would hope that with this knowledge, humanity would improve, that it would live more virtuous. But it doesn’t; we don’t. We don’t look at it as an accountability tool to coerce us into doing the right thing. We look at it as a burden.

Living the virtuous life isn’t a public show for the masses. It isn’t a yoke holding us back from freedom. It is something we practice to make our lives and the lives of those around us better. It is striving to do good all the time, whether in the public eye or in your private life.

Character is doing the right thing when nobody’s looking. –J.C. Watts, Jr.

Building our character is done internally. The fruits of our work is manifested in our actions, whether for good or for evil. The cover of darkness doesn’t hide the person we are on the inside. If anything, it only shines a greater light on who we truly are.