In general, I believe I am a good man. Sure, I have my moments and faults that are likely to annoy some of my family, friends, and coworkers.
I also believe people are good. They want to do the right thing and most of the time they do just that. I am no exception. Sometimes I fail to deliver. Other times I do things that are just plain wrong. If someone hits me, literally or figuratively, I will hit them back. I learned this as a kid. I feel the need to even the score.
I am the father of three young men. I tried to give them the best of me and to hide the worst. Time will tell how I did but I think they are good men. It is good to pass good on.
I see a world of opportunity out there in the public and private sectors. Problems are opportunities just begging for help. I tell my young men this all the time. It is the exceptional who push through the inertia and make something happen. We live in a time of polarization, of finger pointing and blame. Think there’s not some opportunity here? We also live in a country whose infrastructure is failing. We are pushing the limits of our electrical grid, bridges, tunnels and roads. I smell opportunities, and it smells good.
Almost all of us are good men. What’s does its mean to be a good man? The answer is: to be a good man is to be a man.
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When I was a kid a minority of any kind was ostracized. I am not declaring victory—we have more work to do but consider this; We have a black president, a woman is leading the polls to become the next president, a man who was on the Wheaties box in 1977 now adorns the cover of Vanity Fair, as a woman. We are having an outpouring of love and support for the gay community which endured such pain in Florida—by straight people. White people are calling out the injustices done to black men by police officers. There was no such thing as marriage between two women or two men when I was a kid. Think we haven’t progressed?
The way forward needs good men and women and you know what? We have them. They are right here in the good old USA. They are the sleeping bear. A bear that is about to get poked despite centuries of advice that tells us not to. The electorate has to make a choice akin to choosing the tallest midget. We will choose and start complaining about our choice this December. Despite all the good that comes for everyone from whatever holiday you are celebrating, people will complain. Then we will point fingers and blame the other side of whatever side you’re on. We will seem to be coming apart at the seams. Like Anarchy, but …
Two women will marry, a black man will risk his life to save a white man, inequalities will be exposed by people who benefit from the inequality because they have moral values. A child will help an old woman push her shopping cart. Doctors and researchers will work tirelessly to find treatments and cures. The Sun will come up every day.
Hope is buried in the hearts and minds of all of us. Sometimes we just get so overloaded with the rhetoric we can’t see the the good men and women out there. Here’s a headline: it is most of us. Almost all of us are good men. What’s does its mean to be a good man? The answer is: to be a good man is to be a man.
I am a good man, and I know plenty of other good men. There are good women too. Again, almost all of them are good. Add us up and you have the formula for social change that will come and lead our great nation to new heights. Don’t just watch, poke the bear!
Photo: Getty Images
Yes, we are all good. It is an endless challenge to remain good all the time.
Very interesting and thoughtfully written post. I know deep down in me, I’m a good man. I try to see others as a reflection of me, treating others with kindness, love and compassion. If we all can understand that we are all one irrespective of gender or race then we will see the need to treat others with fairness and love. Chris, I love your post and look forward to reading more of your contents.
Hope is all around us. Sometimes we just have to take a moment to recognize it. Just like looking at problems as opportunities. It’s all about perspective, My first grandchild will be born any day now and I recently realized that my hopes for her and her life are the same as I had 32 years ago when I was waiting for my own first child to be born. Fortunately hope springs eternal. Great article, Chris.
I’m full of hope too, Chris. I know we have it in us to be good to each other. Start by smiling and holding the door open for the person behind you. Start by saying your pleases and thank yous. Start by being a good ambassador for your people. Great reminders here.
It’s really very simple Sarah as you point out. Most people do these very things in their daily lives. We seem to be focusing too much on the very few who are not good women and men.