Being a Human

Sometimes all it takes to be human is a kind word at the right time. A nice gesture which makes others smile. It's the simple things that make the most impact and the greatest difference.

Long ago, people were much more human...

Unfortunately, the majority of people either don't have the time, or if they do, they have no inclination to do anything charitable. We all lead busy lives, but for all the seconds it takes to do or say something kind, more of us should make the effort to do more.

The very worst people are those who pretend to care and do absolutely nothing. They are politicians.

Oh we may see them being photographed at many events, some charitable and some not so charitable, but that is only for selfish reasons and to raise their profiles in the public eye.

They mainly have no conscience or shame. Humility isn't a word with which they have any relationship. Money and the pursuit of power are the only things they have in their sights. I know there are a few semi decent ones, but they are as scarce as testicles on a snake.

In this modern era, far more women are in politics than at any other time in history. One would think their presence would improve the way make politicians behave, but it appears that some of the female politicians are as venal as their male counterparts. Listening to the lies told by them without blinking an eye tells me their ambitions are no less nuclear.

Twenty-first century... humanity has fallen off a cliff...

Not that it really matters which sex politicians are. They are all completely untrustworthy and absorbed with getting to the front of the queue for expenses and a place at the political trough. Nothing can stop their drive towards the highest point on the political mountain.

Even if they cannot reach the very top, they will continue to rake in favours which they will hope to cash in at some future date. Information is the highest value commodity in any parliament. This can be used in a variety of ways, to make their eventual retirement or disgrace, as comfortable as possible. And if they get as far as a ministerial position, this hugely improves their chances of acquiring a few cushy directorships or becoming consultants to companies associated with the department they represented. Unfortunately, these people are really swamp creatures, and have no chance of becoming human.

Back at the other end of the scale, people in general have also lost the ability to act like human beings. If you're in a supermarket, this is very noticeable. As we wander round the aisles, taking time to check a list and look for bargains, others are hurtling around like demented ferrets. They appear to have no time to spare and very few manners either.

Now, if I accidentally push my trolley into someone's legs, I apologise immediately and make sure I haven't done any damage. But if someone charges past me, knocking me into a pyramid of heavily discounted toilet rolls, they turn and stare accusingly like an angry hippopotamus, obviously blaming me, the victim lying amid an avalanche of toilet tissue, for this unfortunate mishap.

This type of attitude has become more prevalent in recent years. People in general have lost the ability to be human. It always has to be someone else's fault and no possibility of them taking responsibility for their own actions. Typically, someone who jumps into a river full of crocodiles and loses a leg will immediately claim it's not their fault. Some other person or persons should have put up signs or physically stopped their stupid self-centered arses going into the river in the first place.

This goes for all parts of society. Governments won't take responsibility for their own actions or inactions. Large corporations deny responsibility for actions which cause injury or death because of a complacent attitude to their employees health and safety. As long as the profits are rolling in, they don't care.

Being human isn't being perfect. Being human is taking responsibility for our own actions. Being big enough to apologise when it's obvious we are in the wrong. Treating people in a way you yourself would prefer to be treated.

None of these things are difficult, never mind impossible. So to improve your life and the lives of others, choose being human instead of being a selfish arsehole.