Invisible walls

Invisible walls stand tall, impenetrable.
I should know.
At first glance, I may seem open, defenses down,
But come too close and I'll shut you out.
Every time.
As friends, there are no fixed boundaries, my heart is always open,
My life an open book.
But go too far, and you will hit solid glass.
So unexpected that I don't always know it's there...until I find myself hiding behind it once more.
A heart will do many things to protect itself,
Often bypassing even conscious thought.
I've seen the tears that come with "love", the abuse of power, the loss of oneself.
My heart is wary, my defenses strong.
So much so that no one has ever broken through,
Even when I first believe it otherwise.
Deep down,
I'm stuck in a fortress all my own,
Hoping for the day I can let it go,
My heart free to trust completely.
But until that day, I'll stay here,
Behind my last defenses: safe and whole.
At least as much as any one person can be.

Character

What is character?
Sure, Phineas and Ferb, Chip and Dale, and any Disney Princess would count, but is being a character the same thing as having it?
True, every person has their own character, the set of qualities and characteristics that define them as an individual...but is there something specific we're looking for when we say, "That person has character"?
Something that sets them apart,
Something inherently good...but can you learn to "have character", or at least obtain more of it?
I believe you can.
There seems to be a moral aspect to character,
A quality of caring for others and respecting differences.
A boy takes time out for his friends in need, helps them by his presence and unconditional support; we'd say, "Oh, that boy has character."
A girl realizes that it is easier to run away from problems and challenges than to face them...yet she faces them anyway.
That is character.
Perhaps character is a heart full of pride, courage, compassion, honesty, love, action, self-control, respect, responsibility, and moderation: qualities fit for a superhero, yet unmistakably real.

None of us have all these qualities in the amounts we might prefer, but it is up to us to find the balance.
Life is about taking what we have, nurturing it, and finding our own balance.
Too much pride, love, or honesty, when forced unceasingly on others and allowed to dominate our lives and actions, is not helpful.
Likewise, an extreme lack of moderation or compassion helps no one.
Balance is life, change a gift, and life a quest to use change to find balance.
And it is along the way, when we least expect it, that we may just develop true character.