A little about me... I would be remiss if not to say...that you’re buying and reading of Character Happens! will hopefully make you stop and think...(after all, thinking is a good thing). Simply...not thinking may be what has gotten us into many life-altering situations or dilemmas that might have been avoided...could we have paused...and thought more deeply about our decision choices. When the individual thinks more deeply they usually consider their decision in a more 'global' manner as opposed to one serving only self interest. Character Happens! was written...I suppose to get some things off my chest. Most of us have experienced first-hand ramifications resulting from decisions by individuals, businesses, groups, even governments, that negatively affected our lives. Many of these decisions were the result of a single individual deciding in his own self interest foregoing a better (more virtuous) decision affecting a larger group or population. The influences of these self-interest decisions are many, to include; financial gain, power, personal influence, greed, vendetta, and authority are a few of the many reasons typically used. Additionally, there seems to be no particular personality or other DNA who are more recognized as blatant, but coming from a cross-section of; age, gender, education, religion, and culture. Hopefully, the book will provide a 'character or virtue' teaching moment, all while entertaining the reader. I’ve chosen five virtues I truly believe are most formidable from the hundreds that abound. And, they are: Honesty—perhaps the most honored of character traits, yet the one most abused. Integrity—not to be confused with nor less stature of Honesty, I’ve extrapolated its meaning to a heightened (personal choice), of; 'consistency.' Courage—the virtue so commonplace yet so unheralded as to exist only in news headlines, better defined by typical, daily occurrences. Compassion—my unconventional belief that less is more aids the readers' understanding, perhaps macro view, of this virtues recompense. And lastly the virtue ; Humility—the human character trait of the truly informed individual...certainly a life’s triumph.  Some not so interesting things about me are: ...through my many years of work, attending school and personal life I’ve met many interesting characters, so to speak. Not unlike many of you I suspect. Having today an ongoing business(s); as owner of a marketing/sales agency (Industrial Products)...as a business consultant and finally an aspiring writer, I wondered "what's next" in my life. In 2005 I convinced myself to write a book about human character...with a personal twist of its fleeting nature (my observation), thinking others might also see the value of such a tome. I love golf and admire the game. Blending the "character" focus with a "golf" storyline made perfect sense to me...besides appealing to two separate market demographics; the golfer population and those individuals who want to read about character/virtue issues. Consequently from heavy research, reading, and personal observation...the book Character Happens! is ready for sale.   Educationally...completing all the coursework for the Doctorate of Business Administration degree, without doing the dissertation, I remain ABD-DBA...an academic acronym for “All But Dissertation-Doctorate Business Administration.” I know, I know—you ask how could anyone do that? Well...just so you know, there are thousands of individuals out there like me (ABD). Additionally, study at the doctoral level (any discipline), is arduous, extensive and time consuming—so it’s not like the process and study was wasted by not being awarded the designation of DBA behind your name. I indeed learned much beyond the masters-level work...and paid an incredible amount of money for the privilege of doing so. My wife Linda (a marriage of 42 years), is beautiful, witty and the joy of my life. We met in high school and married one year after. It has been a long, strenuous at times, but joyful life with a mate who has always been positive and caring. My three children; Gavin, Cassie and Chanda have grown to be decent and assiduous individuals. Lastly, I think (and hope) you’ll like the stories. There is no question the virtues; Honesty, Integrity, Courage, Compassion and Humility are THE most important virtues of the hundreds that are known. I wish you (and bestow upon you), your own story of decent virtue...maybe this book will aid your efforts to pursue that quest. Regards, Garry M. Graves Order Character Happens!