Good afternoon everyone. My name is Masu Hawk Khan. I'm a Windsor parent and when I heard that the theme of this year's TEDex talk was the road less traveled, I wanted to share a personal philosophy or framework that I've developed based on my years of lived experience.I felt that this group of high achieving young women and perhaps high achievers everywhere could benefit from. But before I share the framework, I need to give you all a little personal background for context. So once upon a time in the land ...

Character Definition and Importance - Character is defined as the way one thinks, behaves, manages things, and deals with others, including living beings [1] - Character is crucial, as losing money means little, losing health means something, but losing character means losing everything [1] - Character is essential in every aspect of life, influencing how one acts as a person, a professional, and a member of society [5] Character Development - Character building starts from birth and continues throughout life [9] - Parents are the first to build a child's character, with the mother's lap being the first school [2] - The home environment, including the behavior of parents and siblings, significantly shapes a child's character [3][4] - Education, including reading good books and understanding religious texts, plays a vital role in self-character building [8][10][11] - Good friends are instrumental in building one's character [9] Influences on Character - Genetic makeup contributes to character, but character can be modified and improved [1] - Teachers and schools play a role in instilling values such as honesty, truthfulness, and responsibility [7][8] - Role models and influential figures, such as prophets and mentors, can shape character [12] - Reciting and understanding meaningful poems and prayers can provide guidance and shape one's life [6][13][14][15]