Roger Cohen, NY Times: Mow The Law:
[…] I am less interested in the inspirational hero than I am in the myriad doers of everyday good who would shun the description heroic; less interested in the exhortation to “live your dream” than in the obligation to make a living wage.
In Camus’ book, “The Plague,” the doctor at the center of the novel, Bernard Rieux, battles pestilence day after day. It is a Sisyphean task. At one point he says, “I have to tell you this: This whole thing is not about heroism. It’s about decency. It may seem a ridiculous idea, but the only way to fight the plague is with decency.”
Asked what decency is, he responds: “In general, I can’t say, but in my case I know that it consists of doing my job.” Later, he adds, “I don’t think I have any taste for heroism and sainthood. What interests me is to be a man.”
In the everyday task at hand, for woman or man, happiness lurks.
Don’t miss entire op-ed column by Roger Cohen, Mow The Law
Live & Learn 
..to be the ‘decent’ man or woman – that is the key..
LikeLiked by 1 person
yes.
LikeLike
Very true. When we can find happiness in the everyday tasks and moments, we will always have it. 😎
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, now to execute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today sounds good 😇
LikeLiked by 1 person
It does!
LikeLike
Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Decency …. one of the major “signposts” in our journey!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! Hang the sign up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the way you think and write.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awwww, thank you Julie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe it’s there already and we’re too busy looking for the next big thing to recognize it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You think?
LikeLike
I hope 😊
LikeLike
this thoughtful post resonated with me. It reminded me of my daughter, a very talented and dedicated special ed teacher, and her outlook on life and her career.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, you must be so proud Michael.
LikeLike
Sisyphus …hard to spell correctly, fun to say. Sisyphus . Love it. ☺
LikeLiked by 2 people
Smiling. You are right…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sometimes, it takes so little to amuse me !! ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
Laughing. Me too…
LikeLiked by 1 person
‘it’s about decency.’ yes-
LikeLiked by 1 person
So full of truth David! Just be decent and show love towards others always. To remember it’s not about me, to remember we were all created equal, to remember we are all part of the human race will open the door for greatness in oneself that we don’t require or strive for. It just happens!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes…Bill. You speak wisdom.
LikeLike
I love this. Decency seems to be heroic these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or seems so passive in these go go go days…rather than heroic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Taking a stand, quietly, can sometimes require such strength.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like his definition. We have an innate knowing of what it is. Doing the right thing as men and women every day. Its a practice 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is practice. It is.
LikeLiked by 1 person