What does it mean to be a good person?

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A compelling spiritual axiom discussed of late,  references a truly important fact of life: 

“…every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us”. 

That tells me that there are no exceptions. No matter how unreasonable others may seem, I am responsible for not reacting negatively. Regardless of what is happening around me I will always have the prerogative, and the responsibility, of choosing what happens within me. 

I AM the creator of my own reality.”

I had to bring  that last sentence down and do some capitalization by itself because it needs to stand alone. 

I am trying to get a better handle on my typical emotional response to all of the things that go on around me.  For much of my life, I have chosen to react negatively. Pride can be a fragile entity. And feeling dismissed by others on all fronts fosters all sorts of reactions from anger, to hurt, to self loathing and loneliness. 

For decades, I chosen to take it and allow those external forces to command what goes on within me.  Then, my modus operandi became isolation, hiding from that hurt  and attempting to calm it in unhealthy ways.  I can tell you flat out, speaking from experience, that does not work.

But as the creator of my own new and better reality, I have come to learn some great things.  Like walking away from those sources of judgement.  Recognizing that bullies can only affirm themselves by bringing others down lower than themselves. And recognizing that there are many, many things I  cannot do anything about. 

For those, I have found God’s help. 

I have no control over anyone else’s choices and behavior. I will do my best and let their chips fall. They can then clean their things up.

I cannot change anybody but myself. And to get angry and upset only makes things worse. 

Lashing out about my lack of perogative and iresponsibility over choosing what happens within me, is not the way to be a good person.  

It is frankly the opposite.  

So I am sorry. 

To be my best, I need to make better choices about what happens within.  

Ultimately, I am responsible for creating my reality. 

To not do so, then I cannot become a good person. 

For anyone.    

Myself included.