The Definition of Good

What is your definition of good?

 When I was growing up, the word “good” was defined by my family and heritage.  I often heard comments such as, “Be a good girl,”  and, “Do your chores.” “Be a good girl and eat everything on your plate.” If I did not do what I was told, I was bad. Over time our society and peers teach us what being good means. Girls don’t do that, so if I did it, I was bad. Let’s not forget the political arena. Depending on who I talked to, I was not of right thought  (bad) or of right thought (good). That definition carried forth for many years.

So I did as family and society dictated. I might not have understood why something was bad, yet I conformed. It was easier to conform than to question. I wanted my family and friends to accept me. (I did not understand I was totally accepted and Loved by the One who matters- God, Divine).

As I started my journey to awakening or becoming I realized my use of the word “good” seemed a bit convoluted. It was time for me to decide what the word meant for me. It seems like such a simple word, easy to define. According to the dictionary, the meaning of “good” is as follows:  1. To be desired or approved of.  Pleasing and welcome. Expressing approval.  2. Having the qualities required for a particular role 3. Possessing or displaying moral virtue. 

For the sake of this article, I will be working with the third definition. What is moral virtue? Does the same moral virtue apply to everyone in the world? In some cultures, it would be good to go to school and excel. In another culture, wanting to go to school when there were so many children at home would be selfish and therefore bad.  In some cultures, being female and uncovering your hair would be enough for a punishment. 

The way we see it, social norms and beliefs define the word. Even killing could be good or bad (think terrorism). Suicide bombers believe they are doing something for the glory of Allah. So “good” is something I judge myself. I see now I have to put my definition of “good” aside because it is subjective, making me the judge and jury.

As I grow and change my beliefs, my definition of the word good will change again. Maybe this is why when someone yelled to Jesus, “You are good,” his reply was “Only God is good.” He was simply saying we cannot judge “good” because we don’t have the ability. We live life from the ego’s standpoint, which is flawed. But oh so loved!

With all that said,  I know that our authentic self, our spirit was created by God who is Love.  If God is Love (which God is)  and created us in His/Her image (which is Love) our authentic self has the light of Love within. That light is our true being, and we need to uncover that light. This  journey is long but awesome.