There’s something I’ve grown to understand over the years: real decency isn’t about applause. It’s not about how many people cheer you on or how many “likes” your actions get. True decency is silent. It’s in the things we do when no one is clapping, watching, or even aware.
I remember a particular moment that shaped this belief for me. I was walking down a dusty street, and I saw an elderly woman struggling to carry her basket of vegetables. Everyone walked past her, pretending not to notice. For a second, I almost did the same, until something in me said, “What if this was your mother?” I turned back, walked up to her, and carried her load until she reached her doorstep. She looked at me with teary eyes and just said, “Thank you, my child.” That moment has stayed with me ever since.
We live in a world where people often do good just to be seen. Social media has made it even more tempting to post every act of kindness, every little moment of ‘goodness,’ to prove how decent we are. But the truth is, decency isn’t a performance. It’s a way of life.
Decency is in how you talk to the waiter even when your food is delayed. It’s how you speak about someone in their absence. It’s about treating people right not because they can reward you, but because it’s simply the right thing to do.
One lesson I’ve learnt is that people might forget what you said, they might forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel. And sometimes, the way we make others feel isn’t in grand gestures, it’s in the small, consistent acts of humanity that build our character silently over time.
I won’t act like I’ve always gotten it right. I’ve made mistakes too. I’ve ignored people who needed help. I’ve said things I regretted. But growth comes when you recognize those moments and decide to do better.
Decency isn’t just about what we do outside, it starts from within. The thoughts we entertain, the things we watch, the people we follow, the way we judge others, all of these reflect the content of our heart. We can’t live decent lives if our inner world is filled with bitterness, envy, or pride.
One thing I now try to do is check my intentions often. Before I act, I ask myself: “Why are you doing this? Would you still do it if nobody knew?” That alone has saved me from doing things for the wrong reasons.
As a community, I believe if more people start embracing inner decency, without expecting applause or praise, we’ll start seeing a better society. Not perfect, but better. A place where people help each other out of love, not out of duty. A place where we lift others even if no one is looking.
So today, let this be a reminder. Keep doing the right thing. Keep being kind. Keep showing up for people. Even when it feels unnoticed, heaven sees it, and your soul feels it too.
Let’s raise a generation that chooses character over clout. A generation that’s decent from the inside out.
