It may not seem this way sometimes, but there are many good people living among us today. They're harder to distinguish, mainly because they are humble and many tend to keep a low profile. They're not seeking adulation. It's ironic that the truly good people in society many times do not receive the accolades they deserve, but this is in line with their nature.

Finding good people is a matter of knowing what to look for in characteristics. Here are a few that are more easily recognized:

- Trustworthiness is one measure of goodness. A good person will always be trusted in your home, with your children, and with your life.

- Kindness can be seen almost immediately in a good person. There is something in the eyes that just tells you right away, this person is kind.

- Generosity is another indicator. Not just generosity with material goods, but generosity of spirit. There is a vast difference in the kinds of generosity a person can display.

- Honesty tells us if a person is good. Someone with nothing to hide and who lives within the laws of the land has no reason to be dishonest.

- Warmth in the way a person interacts with others tells a lot about the good in them. Being cold and aloof is a characteristic of someone with traits that get in the way of being the good person they may have started out to be.

- A sense of humor indicates that a person does not take themselves too seriously, and that they will be able to find the bright side of most situations. A good person is known by his or her ability to find happiness in the ordinary things of life.

- Moral integrity, that which is sincere and not faked for appearances' sake, is evident in a good person. A strong sense of right and wrong, good and evil, justice and injustice is something a good person will possess.

- Ability to forgive is of utmost importance to a good person. Only a person who can forgive the faults and weaknesses of others and not pass judgment can be called a truly good person. Someone who is unforgiving of others shows a selfishness that is not a character trait of a good person.

- Caring for the rights of others, for the privileges, and for the well-being of others is a sure way to know if a person is good. Exercising the right to vote, for example, shows that a person cares deeply for the good of others. Knowing if he or she is willing to help decide the fate of the country, and ultimately the world, is a good way to know if someone is a good person.

All of the above beg the question, will a good person always act in good ways, 100% of the time? This has been debated by scientists for ages. A good person will act in the right ways most of the time, but if a circumstance presents itself that requires an uncharacteristic response, a good person may have to act out of character. If the action is for the well-being of someone else, a good person may choose an action that is not necessarily good.
Does that make the person less good, or even bad? No, it does not. The person is still innately good.

It is helpful to note that despite behaviors in some that seem to defy logic, most people so have many good qualities. It is up to us to discover characteristics that are sometimes hidden from view for one reason or another. A crusty old friend of mine sometimes appeals to my sense of humor by saying, "Yes, but don't tell anyone I participated in that charity event, (or whatever good work he did.) I do have my image to uphold, you know."

Learn more about this author, Arabella Kelly.
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