You may have never heard of the word. But actually being referred to as a “mensch” or “mentsh” actually says something about the high regard that the speaker has for you. So take it as a badge of honour!
The term comes from middle high German and describes a person of integrity and honour, someone of noble character who has a strong sense of what is right and responsible.
In my books, that means that the speaker regards you as a “good human”.
It seems that there is no set formula to being a good human being, all people have the opportunity to exhibit the many qualities that one might deem “mentsh-like”. I suppose that ones upbringing plays a great role in the moral rectitude that one exhibits but the rest seems to be developed out of good bad habits.
Habits are formed or adapted out of regular reinforced practices and transcend race, colour and creed. Habits can be appropriated (both good and bad) and can become part of your daily living practice if you choose to adopt them. Those that are positive reinforcers are easy to extend and perpetuate, some come with a burden of labour but this shouldn’t prove to be a reason to abandon them if they are consistent with being a good human being.
Part and parcel of all this has to be how you treat yourself too. leading a balanced lifestyle will also make the practice of being collegiate, a brother, sister, mother, father or whatever that much easier because your physical and mental state will be conducive to appropriate behaviour and disposition.
In our fast paced materialistic world where personal success, wealth, influence and fame seem to be the most admired characteristics of a person, we may have forgotten the value of forging and maintaining real human relationships without seeking reciprocated reward.
Consider today, what your levels of compassion and empathy are. Consider what drives you to continue to express compassion and empathy and inspires you to be supportive of others.
Especially consider those from whom you choose to derive nothing more than a human connection and in the end, you will be making things better for yourself and others.
