What Do They Say About You?

Lately I've been thinking a lot about what it means to be "a good woman" (or man, or person).  Sounds simple doesn't it?  But a life long quest for those of us who mean it and want to hold that as a title with which to be associated.

Good is plain isn't it?  "of a favorable character or tendency" says  Merriam-Webster.  If this is so then why is it so fleeting?  Or so it seems? 

I equate goodness and kindness as sort of kin in a way.  One holds hands with the other.  Good and kind.  Can one be good but not kind or kind but not good?  Complex idea and possible I'm sure but without going in depth and for this blog good and kind are related. 

Most recently I worked for a company where in a meeting the President said "I don't want us to be know as the nice company any longer".  This is a loose interruption since I was so shocked and saddened I may not have gotten his words 100% correct.  But the gist is we have been good and tolerant for too long.  It had to stop.  And believe you me, it did!  

Seems to me that today everywhere I turn I see people being 'thrown away'.  The mind-set of if we don't like you or your performance - we will just get rid of you.  Not how can we work together to solve our issues.  And then if we can't solve them after trying - let's agree to part ways.  I know that's idealistic but TRY TO RESOLVE are the words I'm looking for here.....before just 'throwing away'?

Through the years I have said to a few co-workers "at the end of the day I just want to be a decent human being".  And honestly it doesn't seem that hard if everyone has the same goal in mind.  But if you are in an environment where good and decent are a daily up-hill battle then you have your work cut out for you.

I record the The Ellen Show every day.  Don't watch it everyday, but when I do there are 2 things that really stand out for me.   1 - I laugh and I laugh hard and loud (perfect medicine for a bad day).  2  - she closes her show by reminding us to "be kind to one another".  Thank you Ellen!  And yes, I think we need to be reminded - daily.

Wouldn't the world be a better place if we were all 'kind to one another' and if each of us did strive to 'be decent human beings' by living as 'a good women or men or humans'.  As my parents would have said, "be people of character". 

My vote is yes.  I grow weary of being with and around people who do not hold these simple acts as truth.  But I don't let that stop me from my daily quest to just be good, kind, decent.  It is the least I can do - plus it makes me happy and allows me to sleep well at night.