The Road to Depth: Thinking about what Character Is 

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.

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 🙏🏽

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

Thank you for this great teachings

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

And the greatest is Love .

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

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

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.

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

Liked this discourse few touch upon! Major !

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.

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.

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

Great speech! I will go buy his books now!

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

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

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.

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

This is truly amazing.

What an amazing and spiritual talk.

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.

❤so profound thanks so much❤Godbless

So incredibly inspiring what a great man

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.

Thanks for sharing

What a mind..and heart!

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

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!

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

"Love in right order" high standard

Great lecture...❤

The Grace and Mercy of God is never unemployed.

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

"Keep company" and about you. Just sit with

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

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

hopeful, fascinating

What happened to the video about why Julian Asssange was freed? All I got was a lot of stuff about Listerine. WTF

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

Poverty at times allow no tears

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

❤

"Love of moral order"

Fail and fall right through

Half confidence

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

"Moral demand," self expecting

"Degrade" and dishonoring yourself of your original self

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

Two-foldness

Based on conditional

Virtues not emphasize d of humanism within

Not dismiss someone loss such a unborn

Character training. ..

I wish Evangelicals would read Galatians 5-22,23. Then find just one of the fruits of the Spirit that Trump has. No not one. Yet they embrace him.

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

Kookiness

Not to cross

Abandonment

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

False confidence

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.

He sounds like a snob