Good/Bad
Ever have this HUGE cloud in your mind? one that acts as almost a fog- making it hard to see anything else, or move on to another thought, until you've tackled this one?
Happens to me a lot. I usually have to grab some paper and jot it all down- until that cloud slowly fades into a sunny sky- today, was no exception.
This isn't paper... but, it will work.
The thought is this: what makes "good people" "good" and on the contrary, "bad people" "bad"......
I honestly believe that's hard to say. It's not a matter that you can draw a line across and be completely on one side or the other.
No one can be good all the time. And though I'm sure many would disagree no one is bad all the time.
We are all capable of being good- and of being bad.
So, if this is true, you say, why are some people seemingly awful- a majority (or "all") of the time?
We all know that one person that's difficult to get along with; That someone when asked to say something nice of in a youth group activity or Facebook survey- you would have to think long-and-hard.....or, make something up.
I refuse to believe; however, that they are completely and totally corrupt. I have a gift. No matter how terrible the person- I can come up with something positive about them. It's not always easy and I don't do it as much as I should. Still, I'll be the first to tell you that there's something good to be said of everyone.
If we were all judged and remembered for our mistakes, who would stand? (Jeremiah 10:10)
Anyway... Enough of that rabbit trail. Back to the question. Those people who are mean and hard to agree with. What's up with that? Is there any way they can be considered "good people?" to this, I have many things to say. First, to answer a question, I will ask another, who is a "good person?" I've made mistakes. "Bad people" make mistakes. So, am I a bad person? Many would say no.. Some may say yes. Guess what? It doesn't matter! We can't judge people or place them in one group. We can't see people's hearts. And there's no way to make things so black and white. There are many grey areas to be considered. Humans are complex beings and there's more to the equation than can be accurately figured by any scholar, prestigious university, academy or an in depth study. It's just not that simple.
I try my best to leave those titles behind. Many people may seem "bad" and many may seem to be "good people" why not just accept that we are humans and as I said, capable of being both?
I will; however, agree that many may/do seem to lean one-way-or-another. (That is merely an observation and I can't judge too much beyond that.)
I'm guilty as much as the next person. All sin is equal and even one can make us a sinner- which is what makes us short of heaven. When you think about the big picture, the rest is but minor details and totally not even worth arguing over. It doesn't matter who is "good" or "bad" we all have a decision to make one-way-or-another. And that decision has to turn into actions. Which shape your character, personality...etc.
Speaking of shaping character and personality- let me be your mom for a second. I know you've heard that question that parents have been using for a couple centuries (or, so it seems)
"If your friend jumped of a bridge, would you?"
Unless you're the world's biggest smart-alec, you probably answered something along the lines of "of course not" who would do that? and who has friends that do that stuff anyway? goodness! time for a new question, mom.
Silly example- and very clishe'.. all the same, it gets my point across.
without that one bridge-jumping friend in the picture, I'm sure the idea of jumping from a bridge would be pretty far down on your list of activities, and more-than-likely, a last resort. And it doesn't even have to be that drastic.When we hang around people who are in a good mood- we're more likely to be in a good mood ourselves. And the opposite is true as well.
Generally, those who are "bad people" spend time around those who are "bad people" themselves. Because they don't feel judged, can be themselves, won't have to do stupid things alone or worry about getting tattled on.
I've seen many times someone who has every good intention to "win-over" someone. Try to witness to them and be their friend; instead, they get sucked in and change. To some extent, we are who we spend time around. If you spend time around those who are "good people" you will probably end-up adopting some of their "good" habits. Not such a bad thing, right? remember.. the opposite is true as well. If you hang out with those who have been given the reputation and name of the "bad kid" you are likely to follow in their footsteps. Don't be too let down about yourself or think there's something wrong with you- As humans, we long to be with someone; to be a part of something. This is how/why cliques are formed. It's only natural. Knowing this, we should be able to reach these different groups. We know, somewhat, thanks to their stereotype what they are interested in, what they are like and how to get to them.
Differences, "good" or "bad" that's who we are. Humans with many capabilities, grey areas and bridge-jumping friends.
Think long and hard about who you are, and then, about who you are perceived to be by your peers- those outside your group and your family. Do you need to change some, many or almost everything about the way you react to a situation, (your self-control)
who you are when no-one is around (your integrity)
and a great many other things. There's much to us- more than can be said with one word "good" or "bad." As I said; I don't agree with these titles. Unfortunately, a great majority of the world thinks differently than I do on this matter. I won't judge you or label you as one-or-the-other. But many may. Keep that in mind when you're making decisions day-to-day.
And reach out to those who need your help.. just be careful- have someone to "go" with you.. keep each other grounded. There's strength in numbers.
Happens to me a lot. I usually have to grab some paper and jot it all down- until that cloud slowly fades into a sunny sky- today, was no exception.
This isn't paper... but, it will work.The thought is this: what makes "good people" "good" and on the contrary, "bad people" "bad"......
I honestly believe that's hard to say. It's not a matter that you can draw a line across and be completely on one side or the other.
No one can be good all the time. And though I'm sure many would disagree no one is bad all the time.
We are all capable of being good- and of being bad.
So, if this is true, you say, why are some people seemingly awful- a majority (or "all") of the time?
We all know that one person that's difficult to get along with; That someone when asked to say something nice of in a youth group activity or Facebook survey- you would have to think long-and-hard.....or, make something up.
I refuse to believe; however, that they are completely and totally corrupt. I have a gift. No matter how terrible the person- I can come up with something positive about them. It's not always easy and I don't do it as much as I should. Still, I'll be the first to tell you that there's something good to be said of everyone.
If we were all judged and remembered for our mistakes, who would stand? (Jeremiah 10:10)
Anyway... Enough of that rabbit trail. Back to the question. Those people who are mean and hard to agree with. What's up with that? Is there any way they can be considered "good people?" to this, I have many things to say. First, to answer a question, I will ask another, who is a "good person?" I've made mistakes. "Bad people" make mistakes. So, am I a bad person? Many would say no.. Some may say yes. Guess what? It doesn't matter! We can't judge people or place them in one group. We can't see people's hearts. And there's no way to make things so black and white. There are many grey areas to be considered. Humans are complex beings and there's more to the equation than can be accurately figured by any scholar, prestigious university, academy or an in depth study. It's just not that simple.
I try my best to leave those titles behind. Many people may seem "bad" and many may seem to be "good people" why not just accept that we are humans and as I said, capable of being both?
I will; however, agree that many may/do seem to lean one-way-or-another. (That is merely an observation and I can't judge too much beyond that.)
I'm guilty as much as the next person. All sin is equal and even one can make us a sinner- which is what makes us short of heaven. When you think about the big picture, the rest is but minor details and totally not even worth arguing over. It doesn't matter who is "good" or "bad" we all have a decision to make one-way-or-another. And that decision has to turn into actions. Which shape your character, personality...etc.
Speaking of shaping character and personality- let me be your mom for a second. I know you've heard that question that parents have been using for a couple centuries (or, so it seems)
"If your friend jumped of a bridge, would you?"
Unless you're the world's biggest smart-alec, you probably answered something along the lines of "of course not" who would do that? and who has friends that do that stuff anyway? goodness! time for a new question, mom.
Silly example- and very clishe'.. all the same, it gets my point across.
without that one bridge-jumping friend in the picture, I'm sure the idea of jumping from a bridge would be pretty far down on your list of activities, and more-than-likely, a last resort. And it doesn't even have to be that drastic.When we hang around people who are in a good mood- we're more likely to be in a good mood ourselves. And the opposite is true as well.
Generally, those who are "bad people" spend time around those who are "bad people" themselves. Because they don't feel judged, can be themselves, won't have to do stupid things alone or worry about getting tattled on.
I've seen many times someone who has every good intention to "win-over" someone. Try to witness to them and be their friend; instead, they get sucked in and change. To some extent, we are who we spend time around. If you spend time around those who are "good people" you will probably end-up adopting some of their "good" habits. Not such a bad thing, right? remember.. the opposite is true as well. If you hang out with those who have been given the reputation and name of the "bad kid" you are likely to follow in their footsteps. Don't be too let down about yourself or think there's something wrong with you- As humans, we long to be with someone; to be a part of something. This is how/why cliques are formed. It's only natural. Knowing this, we should be able to reach these different groups. We know, somewhat, thanks to their stereotype what they are interested in, what they are like and how to get to them.
Differences, "good" or "bad" that's who we are. Humans with many capabilities, grey areas and bridge-jumping friends.
Think long and hard about who you are, and then, about who you are perceived to be by your peers- those outside your group and your family. Do you need to change some, many or almost everything about the way you react to a situation, (your self-control)
who you are when no-one is around (your integrity)
and a great many other things. There's much to us- more than can be said with one word "good" or "bad." As I said; I don't agree with these titles. Unfortunately, a great majority of the world thinks differently than I do on this matter. I won't judge you or label you as one-or-the-other. But many may. Keep that in mind when you're making decisions day-to-day.
And reach out to those who need your help.. just be careful- have someone to "go" with you.. keep each other grounded. There's strength in numbers.
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