nice people have character

i think it's interesting that when nice people perform an act of kindness - like they do every day in their lives - others react with "that's nice. it's so like [insert nice person's name here] to do that" and when mean people do something nice - for once in their lives - people are like "wow, that's so great of [insert mean person's name here] to do that!" and seem to appreciate it so much more.

i was reading material for my class for tomorrow and came across a quote from Alexis de Tocqueville who said that personal character constituted "the habits of the heart" to describe character as "a consistent pattern that constantly recurs, expressing who we are by what we do. No single act or statement shapes our character."

So next time someone says something nice or does something kind, appreciate it for who that person has always been to you, not just for his or her one act of kindness. my public service announcement of the day.