How do we know if we are a good person?

 Sometimes I think the world has gone mad.  I  don't understand how some forget that everyone deserves kindness and respect.  Some of my favorite verses are Matthew 25:35-40. 

Matthew 25:35-40

New International Version

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

I know that every culture and religion has similar.  It isn't a new idea to treat people the way you want to be treated.  This is something that was important in our house, however, depending on the day is whether or not this was in practice.  I do aspire to this ideal. Sometimes, I reach close to it, a lot of times, I fail miserably.  

When I started teaching, I had a couple of role models, one I wanted to be similar to, my ballet teacher, Debbie Martin Carlisle, and one I never wanted to be like, the voice teacher I had at Wayne State University. He was mean and lazy too.  the first three semesters, I sang everything I had  sang the prior 2 years.  He definitely showed me that being mean and cruel was not very inspiring and not helpful. Debbie, on the other hand, was the exact opposite.  I noticed that Debbie got great results out of her students without being mean or cruel or putting them down.  To this day, I really try hard to be a teacher like Debbie. 

I love teaching.  I really miss teaching full time.  When I was younger, I thought I was born for Broadway.  Then I got sick.  No more Broadway.  Thankfully, I had teaching to fall back on.  That was when I discovered I wasn't born for Broadway, but teaching.  Every lesson, choir, band, performance, class, all of that was to prepare me to be the best teacher I can be. I am thankful I  can still teach a tiny bit.  It is better than no teaching at all.