Wouldn't the world be a nicer place to live if we were all good people. But what exactly does that mean? Can we classify what it means to be a good person?

Here's my thoughts on what a good person is:
-A good person is someone who treats others with respect and kindness.
-Someone who looks for the good in people, and helps bring out the best in everyone.

-The kind of person who has time to listen to a child who's scared or just curious.
-A person who gives support to the teen who's struggling to find his place in life.
-The person who takes the time to say thank you and smile.

We all know how we would like to be treated by others. A good person is someone the rest of the world looks up to. Each and every one of us has the potential to be a good person. And I believe most of us are, even if sometimes we get a little sidetracked. I believe very few people are truly bad. Babies are never born bad, something in society turns them to ways that are bad.

Imagine this scenario. A man has an argument with his wife, he is distracted at work, his boss yells at him, he goes to the local store to buy a sandwich for his lunch, the cashier is far from polite, she doesn't look up, she doesn't say please or thank you, on the way back to work a man barges into him and he drops his sandwich, when he eventually goes home to his wife he yells at her because the house is a mess. This man has not had a good day, he in turn has not been a good person to his wife.

Now try this scenario. A man has an argument with his wife, he is distracted at work, his boss calls him into his office for a chat and asks if he is okay, he calls his wife at lunch to say he loves her, when he gets home he gives her a kiss and hug. All is calm.

It really doesn't take a lot to be a good person, to say a kind word, to listen. It is amazing the impact an unkind word or action can have on a persons day, week, life.

Here's my top ten for being a good person:

1. Smile, even when you don't feel like it.
2. Say Thank you.
3. Say please.
4. Listen. Really listen and hear what people say.
5. Respect people.
6. Treat people with Kindness and consideration.
7. Be available. Make time for people, especially those closest to you.
8. Take care of your community.
9. Take care of our world.
10.Be supportive to, and do not judge others.

None of these things cost you a penny. None of these things take special skills.

Being a good person covers a whole lot more than these 10 things. But if you try even just a few of these things you'll be going a long way to make the world a much better place.

Learn more about this author, Wendy Tomlinson.
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