The Ultimate Question
Finding the Ideal
April 3rd, 2025
Writing to you from Denver, Colorado.
A question has come to my mind whenever I meet people I respect or find interesting…
This question stems from the conception of The Preparation.
Nearly two years ago the idea of the the program was brought to me, which ended up causing my entire thought process around life itself to change. The question was no longer just about what I could do, but who I could be.
Immediately, an image of a man - capable, stoic, unbreakable, educated, wealthy, influential, and most importantly, virtuous - appeared in my mind.
With continuous effort to become better than you already are, it seemed to me that it was (and is) entirely possible to become that man who, through the image in my mind, was a force of nature.
Of course, my ideals are not the same as everyone else’s, and that’s why I began to ask the question:
“If you could design your ideal human being, what skills would they have?”
Perspective Shift
Friends, coworkers, and teachers have been subjected to this question that, I admit, is not easy to answer.
Last year while on the Falls fire and the Willamette Complex fires in Oregon, some of the paramedics I was working with had good answers to this question.
They mentioned plumbing, carpentry, electrical work, basic mechanic skills, martial arts, and math.
These answers aligned perfectly with my frame of thought. For a while, all of my effort and focus was directed toward gaining tangible skills as fast as possible.
There has been a shift, however. Not just in my thinking, but in the answers I’ve received…
My competent crew instructor for the sailing trip in the Falklands had a much different answer. Not once did he mention a tangible skill, but instead, he spoke of the ability to ground yourself in the present moment and yet, to always be thinking ahead in order to be of great use to people.
This past week I had the opportunity to ask the question to good friends of mine.
Their answer actually had nothing to do with skills. Their focus was on the character traits that one should possess: always doing the right thing, telling the truth, and having a sense of wonder.
The sense I got from my conversation with them was that if you have a good and strong character + curiosity, the rest (competency, education, influence, possible wealth, and any other great benefit) follows.
Or at very least, that good, virtuous character is the necessary precursor to the benefits that can follow.
Refocus
There are no wrong answers to this question that I’ve been asking.
What makes an “ideal” person is subjective to the individual and, because of that, all of the answers I’ve been given are not true or untrue, but varying degrees of the truth.
My friends and the competent crew instructor were hitting on something much closer to the truth.
The issue is not only about the skills you have, but who you are. And, with that, that there is an ultimate truth despite the differences in opinion in what makes an “ideal” person.
The truth, as it seems to me, is that possessing and maintaining good character matters far beyond what you are capable of. Although, funnily enough, a person of good character is usually highly capable as well.
At least, this is how it seems to me, but I think we need a lot more time to cover this topic.
For now, I’ll leave you with this…
If you could design your ideal human being, what skills would they have, and what character traits would they possess?
-Maxim Benjamin Smith
Made me think of the Boy Scouts. Motto:
Be Prepared
Scouts Oath:
Trustworthy - A Boy Scout is honest and reliable, keeping their word and being someone others can depend on.
Loyal - They show dedication to their family, friends, community, and ideals, standing by those they care about.
Helpful - A Scout is ready to assist others without expecting reward, embodying a spirit of service.
Friendly - They are approachable, kind, and inclusive, building connections with others.
Courteous - Politeness and respect for everyone, regardless of differences, are hallmarks of a Scout.
Kind - They show compassion and care, treating people and nature with gentleness.
Obedient - Scouts follow rules and respect authority, understanding the importance of order and cooperation.
Cheerful - They maintain a positive attitude, even in tough situations, uplifting those around them.
Thrifty - A Scout uses resources wisely, whether it’s money, time, or materials, and plans for the future.
Brave - They face challenges and fears with courage, standing up for what’s right even when it’s hard.
Clean - Scouts value physical, mental, and moral cleanliness, keeping themselves and their surroundings in good shape.
Reverent - They respect the beliefs of others and often reflect a sense of duty to something greater than themselves.
{...Although, funnily enough, a person of good character is usually highly capable as well...}
Voila', you answered it already !!! No need to look further.
It's not funny, it's ESSENTIAL: character and skills/capabilities are two faces of the same coin.
You meet a LOT of folks from the most varied walks of life (enviable and most precious...); just compare the two types: the ones with few skills and their character (hope you don't meet many and if, preferably keep them at a distance) and the ones being living treasure-troughs of skills, knowledge, experiences, etc. What kind of character do they have ??? ...
As to the Stoics, pursuing highest possible knowledge combined with apex humbleness/complacency is top-notch; finally delving in contemplation is bliss ...
Good luck and perseverance.