Being a Person

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

This question is pointless in one way because everyone is unique, that’s a given. On the other hand:

This is a very important question

It came to me as I read it that there is a hugely important uniqueness in this world, one we have far too little of. Decency.

Decency is a behaviour wrapped in several character traits: kindness; compassion; honesty and self-honesty; inclusion; empathy. To name but a few.

It’s a trait that understands that you’re not special in the world, everyone is, with a few violent, cowardly, dishonest, criminal exceptions.

Unfortunately I would say that true decency appears to be at a very low ebb in this world, I would also say that:

I’m almost certainly wrong

In fact I know that statement is wrong.

For one thing I don’t know everyone, everywhere. For another we mainly hear of those who are in the news. The news having such a positive focus of course.

The trolls of this world used to have a minimal effect, mainly on those closest to them, now they have platforms on which to keep reinforcing the nastiness within them. They do a lot of damage, but more to themselves as they live in hate. Holding on to anger and bitterness is like taking poison and waiting for someone else to die.

Even so, they’re still not dominant on social media, or anywhere. Evil has a bigger impact, that’s all.

There are literally billions of people in this world that would do no harm and help where they can. Held hostage by a few world leaders.

As usual the billions who disagree with them don’t have the power to stop them, because we have no weapons If contempt was a weapon they would have ceased to be a problem within hours.

Sadly decency isn’t a weapon. But it’s there in every corner of the world. In the brave Russians and Israelis standing up against violence. In people everywhere, in places we don’t know about, trying to stand out against tyranny. In America where they’re fighting an election that is frankly unbelievable.

It’s in the person who checks to make sure you’re alright. In our neighbours who invited us in for a drink last night to give us an hour’s break close to home and our dear little cat. That small gesture meant everything. The person who taps you on the shoulder and says “here, you dropped your wallet.”

Keep looking for decency and you’ll see more of it.

Make no mistake though

Decency is an act of courage. Criticising it is an act of stupidity.

Violence and trolling are acts of cowardice of the highest order. The more planes, bombs, guns, knives, you have, the bigger your fists, the bigger your cowardice. It’s untrue that you must descend to the level of others in order to win, be the bigger bully, have the bigger weapons. There is no win.

Unless this world pulls itself together and fast, the ‘leaders’ who survive will be ruling over a wasteland, they and several generations will never leave their bunkers.

Yet we laugh at the finer character traits. At the people who would work so that everyone, everywhere, survives and thrives.

Decency is what we need.

It’s not unique, but it needs to be louder.

Deb xx