Everybody needs a deal. Everyone is looking for the next big thing. So much time and energy is spent looking for discount deals, half price deals, going out of business deals, online deals, computer deals and yard sale deals. People want to get the most for their money so much so that they often spend it on things they don't need because it was a good deal. It's human nature to seek a bargain or a short cut. People want to get something that costs less then it is worth. It is a way of thinking that creates a living pattern where the focus is on easy acquisition. If that becomes the goal, many of the important aspects of living begin to suffer. Character is formed by environment, values, role models and consequences of actions. There are no special deals on developing character. There are no short cuts to developing a quality inner life. There are only detours.

Many people will spend a great deal of time and energy looking for the easy way to get something done. In a macro view of the world this can be seen in something as simple as getting leaves off the sidewalk. Sweeping leaves up off a side walk requires physical effort and a broom. To make it easier, someone introduced a leaf blower. Now the task is easy, just blow the leaves where you want them while strolling along. However, the leaf blower is a more complicated piece of equipment then a stick with a straw end. It requires research, components, manufacturing, and energy supplied by resources. Those resources, oil and gas, require extraction, transporting, refining, shipping to a distribution location, acquisition by the end user who has to expend some resources picking up the gas can and bringing it home. A lot of hands come into play to blow those leaves away. On top of that, the homeowner doesn't get any real exercise sweeping up leaves so he has to run off to the gym to stay in shape. What a deal.

In personal development the same principals apply. Often in an attempt to avoid pain or hard inner work, people will spend time and energy taking the easy path, not realizing the full cost of their decisions. Everyone knows a person that demands respect but is not willing to make the effort to respect others. Who hasn't met a person that will do nearly anything for love except love themselves? How many people turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain of their life only to realize years later it would have been much easier to just face the initial pain head on? There are no good deals on character without honestly dealing with character.

Developing a good character can be hard work, but like most things, increased attention leads to increased accomplishment. If the goal is to be an honest person then telling the truth has to happen all the time, not just when it is easy. Character, like anything worth while, requires attention and maintenance.

There are great deals to be had in the world. But when it comes to being the person in the mirror that you can admire, then know taking the time and effort up front is the short cut and the best deal.