Most people I know claim, “I’m a good person.” And to be fair, I think the same about myself. But when we believe that title of “good person” suits us well, we cease to examine our character. What do I mean by this? If I am a good person, then what’s the point in questioning my actions? The little acts of kindness become the definition of our idea of “good people,” and it seems logical to see ourselves as great people when we do good. Why? Because we have evidence to show ourselves and to others that we are kind-hearted. That suffices our dictionary of human kindness. Now, this isn’t a matter of whether we are a good person or not. My question is, what if we can do better, like walk an extra mile even though we only said that we’ll walk the one mile.
Some people have limited kindness because, as stated, they have already fulfilled their duties of their good Samaritan deeds. I’ll give an example of what I mean. It’s known that learning is an ongoing process. That we never stop learning. If you think that you know everything, that’s when your learning stunts. You stay with your limited knowledge, unlike the person who believes, “so much I don’t know and that I need to learn.” In the same way, if we stop telling ourselves how good we are, perhaps we can polish our kind-heartedness.
I’m not trying to preach here, but the following verses from the Bible always leave me wondering about who I am and humanity overall:
40) And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41) And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two. 42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from yo. 43)You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44)But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in Heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on righteous and the unrighteous. 46)If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
Um…what a difficult task for those who choose to follow a Christian life! I can certainly understand why many of us fall short from what the Bible demands. It’s difficult. People will only help so much because they can’t allow others to take advantage of them, which is logical. Christian or not, can we do more as human beings? I think we can.
Can you think of a time where you could have helped a person a bit more but chose not to? Of course, we always need “me time,” and time to re-energize, especially if you’re an introvert. But I do wonder how I can be a better person than yesterday?
If learning is an ongoing process, can being a good man or woman also be fully acquired as the years pass by? If we think we’re already a good person, can that limit the goodness in us? I’ll leave these questions open for discussion. As always, feel free to agree to disagree.
https://anaprose.wordpress.com/2016/09/15/am-i-a-good-person
Ana P. Rose's Blog 
A truth nicely dissected… How much Good we really are when we claim we are good persons. Yes it happens ..when we feel we could have done more in our kindness. Actually when we realize the others prospective, pains putting ourselves in that position n then help them… then may be we get the solace within . Very nice a read .
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Thank you, and in times of trials my mind wonders a lot. And then I begin to discover things more about myself. Haha😐
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I believe in my life that there have been many good Samaritans who have been there for me. My problem has been allowing my ego to take control and not permitting myself to ask. I’ve created a lot of pain to myself because of this. I can think of several times that I chose not to help people, but not because I believe I did enough already. I believe it’s because I felt I couldn’t handle more than what I was handling at the moment. I ruined a good friendship as a result of that. She believed I was too self centered to be her friend. 😦
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I understand. That’s why I keep trying to understand this whole idea of a “good person” & the Bible because it’s a bit more complex. Also, allowing a person to take advantage of us or taking advantage of a friend or loved one. And I like that you met good Samaritan and ponder on the issue of ego. That’s another case I didn’t think about. As to your friend, it sounds quite unfortunate. 😢
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Good post Ana.
I always felt like helping othersand taking the focus off your self is the best way to be that “good person”
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