How To Be A Good Person In a Crazy World

Summary

The article "How To Be A Good Person In a Crazy World" discusses the importance of maintaining personal goodness and understanding in the face of others' negative or thoughtless behavior.

Abstract

In a world perceived as chaotic, the article emphasizes the challenge and necessity of being a good person despite provocation from others. It suggests that responding with restraint and kindness, even when others are not social distancing or wearing masks, is a personal opportunity for growth. The author encourages readers to consider the underlying factors that may influence someone's behavior, such as personal difficulties, cultural backgrounds, or medical issues. Giving others the benefit of the doubt and recognizing that everyone can have a bad day is advised as a means to maintain one's peace and spirit. The article concludes with two guiding principles from religious texts: to live peaceably with others and to ensure one's words are always gracious. It also acknowledges that there are times when it may be best to walk away for safety.

Opinions

The author believes that understanding others' circumstances is crucial before reacting to their behavior.
It is implied that responding to negativity with restraint is a sign of exceptional character.
The article suggests that everyone has an inherent 'goodness' to draw from, regardless of external circumstances.
The author advocates for giving people the benefit of the doubt, assuming that their actions might be accidental or due to external factors.
The piece promotes the idea that maintaining personal grace and peace is more important than reacting to every negative stimulus.
It is expressed that sometimes, choosing not to engage is the safest and most appropriate response in an imperfect world.

How To Be A Good Person In a Crazy World

Is it really possible?

In a world gone “crazy” do you sometimes find yourself irritated by the actions of others? To be honest, most of us do at various times. You can choose to respond “in kind” to negative behavior, or not.

How can you not snap back at the man or woman not social distancing or not wearing a mask? Any given situation where someone is rude and thoughtless may be your personal opportunity to show exceptional restraint and not return “evil for evil.” How and why is this important?

Understanding Perhaps this is the most important factor in how we react to someone, especially a stranger. What are some things to consider?

Is the person experiencing personal difficulty at home?

Do they realize they are rude? Or, is it their norm?

What is their background? What influence does their culture have on them?

Do they have medical issues contributing to their actions?

Benefit of the Doubt Do you give the person the benefit of the doubt? Did the person know what they were doing? Or was it an honest mistake? Was it an accident? Think about the last time you made an honest mistake in traffic.

Having a Bad Day From time to time, everyone has a bad day. Have you had one recently? When emotions and mental factors run high, thoughtless words and actions can easily follow. On those type of days you might want to just hide under a pillow. That last rude person you encountered, may have been having that kind of day.

Whatever the reasons for thoughtless actions, words, and questionable ignorance…don’t let it rob you of your spirit. Everyone has “goodness” they can draw from. The world does not need to conquer you and squeeze you into their mold.

Two principles to live by: Romans 12:18 “If possible, as far as it depends on you, be peaceable with all men. Colossians 4:6 “Let your words always be gracious, seasoned with salt…”

Author’s note: There will always be situations that you will need to walk away from. In an imperfect world…saying and doing nothing may be the safest and right thing to do.