Words to Sign On To--Viktor Frankl--The Need for "Decent People"

Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" is the single most inspiring book I have ever read. Published 55 years ago it continues to speak for me to the challenging period in which we live today. 

Frankl concludes his book by urging us to rather than talk about "Saints" to just talk about "decent people". He acknowledges that they may be a minority; if so, it is our challenge is to join them. "For the world is in a bad state", Frankl asserts, "but everything will become worse unless each of us does our best". 

Those simple words are ones to sign on to: Doing our best, for ourselves and for others on the path of life. Being kind. Seeking truth. Yes, "being decent". 

Minutes after posting this blog, a good friend of mine wrote saying in essence that "being decent" doesn't seem like a very high bar; so what gets in the way of achieving it.

 My response: 

1. Not really deciding it is important. Not COMMITTING ourselves to it personally. Not being conscious and evaluating how we are doing.

2. Self interest; self-absorption, always and inevitably present. 

3. Acting too quickly, without enough thought on the impact on others of what say and do or DON'T say or do. 

4.  Failing to appreciate the benefit which being "decent" can have on another person. 

5. Unintended bias.

He wasn't through with his queries. So what he asked might motivate a person the be "decent" beyond just  "doing what is right"?

My response: 

1. Feeling more worthy as a person.

2. Sleeping better at night. 

3. Seeing your children growing up acting the way you hope they will.

4. Learning, happily, that some people will play your decency back to you.