I don’t need to tell you about all of the contention, division, and dissension in our country these days. You can watch the news for that. Or scroll through your social media feed.

One neighbor judging another based on their race.

Punches thrown over who had first dibs on a parking space at the mall.

Pundits on TV yelling at each other like children.

And, of course, a few months ago, supporters of a presidential candidate saying some pretty vile things about supporters of the other presidential candidate.

And so on.

Based on what you see and hear, you can’t be blamed for questioning the character of the human species. Seems like we’re living in some dark times. I understand.

I’m at my keyboard this morning suggesting we shift the tone of the discussion. I’m here to declare that most people are good.

I do so because I fear that what we see on our various screens paints the wrong picture of the great citizens of this great country. We’d be better off focusing on the positive, not just because it’s a healthier view, but also because most people really are good.

What is a good person?

Before rambling on, I should probably define what I mean by a “good person.”

From my vantage point, a good person helps a friend in need. They hold the door open for the stranger behind them. They bring food over, unannounced, when you’re not feeling well. They genuinely listen when you’re going through a rough patch.

Good people have integrity. They show respect. They have empathy. They have dyed-in-the-wool values that apply no matter what, in every situation. They admit when they’re wrong. They take responsibility. They put themselves in the shoes of the other and adjust their perspective accordingly.

Good people are compassionate. They’re kind. They show concern for the suffering and misfortune of others. They provide unconditional love to their kids, parents, grandparents, and pets.

A good person won’t think poorly of you based on your religion, career, the neighborhood where you live or the type of car you drive. They treat everyone the same.

Good people slow down so the car on the left can change lanes. They ask the waiter how he’s doing before ordering. They tip all the time, and do so generously. They smile at babies (good people can’t help but smile at babies). They recognize that it is such a gift to have a positive impact on someone else’s life.

Yeah, but …

I readily admit I’m an optimist, perhaps bordering on wearing rose-colored glasses, but I’m not naïve. I said most people are good, not all people. Sure, there are definitely bad apples amongst us. We all occasionally interact with some downright mean-spirited, inconsiderate, self-centered folks. It can happen at the gas pump, at the office, at the park, just about anywhere. There’s no telling when and where you’ll encounter a knucklehead. Without question, there are selfish, arrogant and greedy people out there.

And we have to remember that even the most saintly amongst us have an off day here and there. We can’t be in a cheery mood all the time. Sometimes we lose our cool for a moment.

You get cut off by a negligent driver on the highway. Your favorite team lost on a last-second field goal, which was preceded by a horrible pass interference call by the refs. The guy sitting on the bench at the weight machine isn’t doing anything other than scrolling on his phone. The donut shop ran out of not just your favorite variety, but your usual second and third choices as well.

Sometimes we slip up and the wrong words, in the wrong tone, come out of our mouth. We react before thinking and say something unkind, and come across like a jerk.

Yep, stuff happens. After all, we’re not superheroes with perfect emotions and behavior — we’re mortal human beings with flaws and inconsistencies. We can’t be good every waking moment. Not me, not you. So let’s give each other the benefit of the doubt.

I truly believe that most people are good. And I don’t feel that way based on the company I keep or those I cross paths with in my community. No, I feel that way because most of us share the same pure desires — for human connection, for cooperation, for safety and security, for freedom, for the chance to pursue our dreams, to serve and be served.

Our Social Contract

In fact, I think most people are good because it’s written in our social contract. We have to be good. Because if most of us weren’t good to each other, civilization probably would have collapsed many moons ago. This belief in our inherent goodness gives me hope for the future.

I’d like to see us stop judging people based on their preferences and opinions, because most who voted for the other party are good. Most who disagree with you about vaccines are good. Most who feel differently than you about taxes, foreign policy, farming subsidies, universal healthcare, public education, pronouns, climate change, and voting integrity are good. Heck, I’m even sure that most Yankees fans are also mighty fine people.

I realize it’s not easy to keep all of this in mind in the heat of the moment. So when you need a reminder, just listen to this song. Over and over. Because as much thought as I’ve put into this essay, Luke Bryan said it better than I ever could. He’s a pretty good guy, too.