What Does it Take to be a Decent Human Being?

It costs nothing to be a decent human being. 

You most likely read that in your head, but this time I want you to say it out loud. Repeat after me: It costs nothing to be a decent human being. 

I have heard this statement so much in my life, and it is one of the truest statements that I have ever heard. I mean think about how much money you have spent simply by smiling at someone or considering their feelings. The truth is if you just think about it, you'll see that being a decent human is really just the bare minimum. 

Something so simple as a smile could trigger a chain of events that can change more than one person's day.

After reading this I want you to make a creative piece based on what makes you a decent human being. It doesn't have to be big; it could be something so simple as holding open the door for someone or helping a neighbor carry in their groceries. 

Whatever it is that makes you a decent human being express that using your choice of medium. After you've expressed yourself, reflect on it. Ask yourself, "What new things can I do that will continue to make me a decent human being?"

Remember it really does cost nothing.  

T. Neal | Cambridge, MD 

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Disclaimer: Fenix Youth Project Inc. supports young writers and their voices and providing them with a platform to submit think pieces, poetry, short stories, and also reflect on experiences and program events. All blog posts are reviewed by the Executive Director, Amber Green. Blog posts are the opinions and reflections of writers and do not represent the organization as a whole. Questions and comments can be emailed to ambergreen@fenixyouthproject.org. 

Black Wellness Resources

Here is a list wellness resources here for you that may be helpful, prioritizing resources created by and for Black people. #BlackLivesMatter

• Fearless Action : Fearless Action empowers youth and adults by encouraging and teaching self love, self discovery and confidence through dance.(Salisbury, MD)

• Healing Black Lives, A Day of Renewal for People of African Descent (Online): facilitated by OneLife Institute

• The Nap Ministry: Rest as Resistance and Reparations

• BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective) 

• Black Girl in Om: A meditation recording for Black Girls

• Liberate Meditation: Meditation app for Black, Indigenous, People of Color

• Therapy for Black Men

• Therapy for Black Girls

• The Safe Place - Mental Health app

• National Queer and Trans Therapists of Color Network

• Real to the People: Free therapy groups for Black womxn, gender expansive people, and people of color

What it Takes to Make it Last

The thought that one day we'll meet someone in our lives worth keeping is what often keeps us searching for true love. A love that is endless and unconditional. A love that can withstand anything. A love that makes all of those past loves seem worth it because they led you to this final love.

Now in finding true love there is this crazy misconception that after you get together with this person everything will go smoothly. Like most things in life, it's just not that simple. There will be good times, there will be bad times and it's up to you both to make it work. What a lot of us lack in relationships seems to be communication. We don't know how to sit down and have a proper discussion without it turning into an argument. Now I'm not saying that there won't be arguments, because really no matter how close two people are there will be disagreements. What I am saying is that learning the proper way to communicate can make that love worth keeping.

On the other hand, we also lack listening skills, and I don't mean that in one ear and out the other kind of listening. You have to hear what they are saying and comprehend it because if you don't that is just as bad as not communicating at all. 

Communication and listening go hand in hand to make a relationship work. No more pointing the finger or going to bed mad. Sit down and have a true heart to heart conversation. Those can make or break your relationship. I mean you never know your current love could in fact be your last love. 

T. Neal | Cambridge, MD

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Disclaimer: Fenix Youth Project Inc. supports young writers and their voices and providing them with a platform to submit think pieces, poetry, short stories, and also reflect on experiences and program events. All blog posts are reviewed by the Executive Director, Amber Green. Blog posts are the opinions and reflections of writers and do not represent the organization as a whole. Questions and comments can be emailed to ambergreen@fenixyouthproject.org.