Am I a good person?

Hey!

Last week on twitter I saw a poll by a girl named Zannah that posed a simple question with two simple answers; do you think you are a good person? yes or no?

Now up until posed with this question I probably would've said yes, I am a generally good person. But, when faced with the idea I began to question this opinion and truly wonder; am I really a good person? I mean don't get me wrong I'm certainly not a bad person and I'd never go out my way to upset/hurt someone but does that really qualify me to be classed as a good person. Doesn't that really just make me a person? I mean I would say that I'm kind but I usually keep to myself where possible. Do I really go out of my way to be a good person? To be honest had I never read the poll I probably wouldn't have even questioned my right to be called a good person at all.

This poll also caused me to think of

more questions, are there truly only two types of people? Good and bad? Is there subcategories to this? Such as great and terrible? What are the criteria for placing ourselves within a category? Does being not bad make us good or vice versa? It poses a difficult question for me as within life I aim to be a "good person", I aim to be someone who is compassionate, kind and loving and, for the most part, I'd say that is exactly what I am. But if we deem there to be only two categories of people: good and bad: then can I really class myself with the likes of Malala, Nelson Mandela, Mother Teresa? Am I worthy of being placed into a category with people of this calibre? Of that I am truly unsure.

The free dictionary describes a good person as; "good person-a person who is good to other people. individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul-a human being; there was too much for one person to do. benefactor, helper-a person who helps people or institutions (especially with financial help)." And by that description I am a good person and after a lengthy debate with myself that is the answer I'm sticking with.

The poll did cause a lot of self reflection on my part which, I think, is a good thing. It was an intriguing poll and I'd be interested as to what others around me think themselves. Are you a good or bad person? Is there truly any measurable way to tell? In my own opinion if we choose to be kind and compassionate to one another then that is being a good person.

Have a good day and be kind,

em x