accountability achievements adversity altruism ambition authenticity body boys brooks building-character character character-building character-development character-formation commitment compassion conscience courage cultural-analysis cultural-criticism cultural-critique cultural-values cultures david-brooks decision-making dedication determination development dignity discipline discovering-oneself emotional-intelligence empathy ethical-behavior ethical-choices ethical-dilemmas ethical-principles ethical-values ethics ethics-and-morality excellence existentialism faith family friendship fulfillment girls gratitude grit growth growth-mindset guidance happiness hard-work health historical-analysis honesty honor honorable-behavior human-nature humanism humanity humbleness humility identity inner-development inner-journey inner-strength inner-transformation inner-wisdom inspiration inspirational integrity introspection introspective introspective-journey introspective-memoir journey kindness leadership learning lessons-of-life life-choices life-decisions life-journey life-lessons life-purpose lifes-purpose literature maturity meaning meaning-of-life meaningful-life meaningful-life. mind mindfulness mindset moral moral-character moral-compass moral-conscience moral-courage moral-development moral-dilemma moral-dilemmas moral-education moral-excellence moral-integrity moral-philosophy moral-principles moral-psychology moral-values moral-virtue moral-virtues morality morals motivation nobility non-fiction nonfiction overcoming-adversity patience peoples perseverance personal-development personal-ethics personal-growth personal-transformation personal-values philosophical philosophical-reflection philosophy principles professional-success psychological-development psychology purpose purpose-driven purposeful-living redemption reflection reflective-thinking relationships resilience righteousness role-models romance sacrifice school self-awareness self-control self-discipline self-discovery self-examination self-growth self-help self-improvement self-reflection selflessness sincerity social-commentary social-conscience social-consciousness social-critique social-psychology societal-contributions societal-norms societal-pressures societal-values society soul-searching spiritual-development spiritual-growth spiritual-journey spirituality storytelling strength strengthening-character struggle success teenfiction the-road-to-character transformation transformative transitions upbringing value-driven-life values values-based-living values-driven virtue virtue-ethics virtues virtuous-life vulnerability willpower wisdom youngmen youngwomen