Being Good

When's the last time you thought about being good?

We want to teach our children to be good. We want them to learn to do what's right.

Why?

Being good is precious. In fact, it's what gives life meaning.

What makes an athlete try hard? What makes an artist labor to reveal beauty? It's that they have each, in one way or another, seen that they have an opportunity to really, actually be good.

What if rather than thinking about getting things done, we thought about being good? Being really, really good. I'm not here to talk about what it means to be good. We all can feel that out on our own. But we will sure learn fast what it is when we strive for it - long for it.

When I was a kid I felt sometimes such a strong desire to be good. Just for no other reason than it was what was good! It made me feel happy to think about it. I felt in love with the goodness itself.

As we grow up sometimes our standard slips. We put less value in being good. We are told it's impractical.

What a revolutionary thing it would be to fall in love with goodness and live that love every day! What a beautiful life!

Goodness is not just for kids. It's not wimpy. And it's not too hard for us. It may be hard, but it's harder not to be good.

Here are some things I think are good. Maybe you will agree that they are good too. I strive to be them. :)

Honest
Courageous
Creative
Funny
Tough
Gentle
Intelligent
Graceful
Effective
Helpful
Awesome
Calm
Grateful
Obedient
Intuitive
Responsible
Generous
Caring
Forgiving
Patient
Healthy
Strong
Flexible
Beautiful

These things are all awesome things to be! They are good!

What would happen if we let ourselves fall in love with these things? What would happen in we let ourselves really try to be good?