Be Kind...Pass It On

Have you ever heard the saying that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"? It's not enough to want to do good, and to try to do good...you really must also think about whether your actions actually had good result or not? Being a good person and doing good deeds comes easy to so many people, and for others,...not so much. Statistics in the past have shown how students, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and regular people do good every day! Why? It's how they were raised and it's what they know. My parents instilled in myself and my siblings from the time we were young to be kind to others, even strangers. We went by the old rules, treat others the way you'd like to be treated. We do this because it is the right thing to do, and it makes you feel good when you do a good deed...we do it because we want to, not because we have to. 

Don't try to be a good person because your parents told you to,..trust me, you're not doing anyone any favors here...Do it for you, because you want recognition or respect, or for any kind of reward except your own satisfaction in doing what you believe is good. Never act superior to anyone else or brag about your "goodness" or "righteousness". What does this mean? Allow me to repeat myself...Be good for a reason, not just because it makes you look good.

What does doing a good deed mean to you? It's not about expecting something in return. If that's what you think this article is about STOP reading right now and go take a look in the mirror because you have some issues. Ultimately, you have to decide on your own code of ethics, and what matters is that you follow through with what you believe makes you a good person. At times, this may conflict with what others believe is good, and they might even accuse you of being quite evil. Consider their views. Either they know something you don't, in which case you may learn something from them and update your morality, or perhaps their experience is limited, meaning that you should take their views with a grain of salt. You're smart, so you can make your own decision.

Give people the benefit of the doubt! To the extent that it doesn't jeopardize your safety (like getting in the car with a group of people you just met), assume each person you meet is a good person, and act likewise. If you see someone do something that you think bad, consider what they are dealing with in the context of their own life-don't jump to conclusions.

  Instead of focusing on the bad things happening around you, find reasons to dwell on the good. You know that old saying...turn the bad into something good. Notice small kindnesses that you find yourself or other people doing, and constantly remind yourself of the things for which you're grateful. Feeling like you are surrounded by good acts and nice people will inspire you to do more good yourself.

Try to be more proactive! By doing so, you are avoiding any form of bad behavior, you've made a big step towards becoming a good person, but you've only just begun. In order to be good, you actually have to do good things rather than just avoid doing bad things.

 What should you get from this? Learn from it! Constantly improve your understanding of what goodness means and demonstrate it to others whether it be your spouse, partner, lover, your children, friends, coworkers, or total strangers. Observe subtle or complex situations and consider just how you would act in such a position. You can also learn from your own mistakes, from others, and from history...we can always make improvements in our lives. What are you waiting for...Hop to it!