be a mensch

Originally I had some ideas about posting stuff here about what is required to be a mensch, and that never came together.

This is one I expect to be still working on (if I’m lucky enough) to be 90 and on wheels.

It’s not really me. Too hard.

Mensch over at the Wikipedia.

Yeah what he said

Not easy.

I want to be more of a mensch, in the sense that Guy Kawasaki describes it in his book The Art of the Start :

“Mensch is the Yiddish term for a person who is ethical, decent and admirable. It is the highest form of praise one can receive from people whose opinions matter.”

Guy describes three foundations for menschhood:

1. Helping lots of people, especially those who cannot help you (although I personally believe it’s impossible to determine in advance who can and can’t help you … in fact, I actually believe that everyone has something of value to offer, even when it’s not immediately obvious).
2. Do what’s right (not what’s easy, expedient, money-saving or possible to get away with)
3. Pay back society, for such gifts as
• family and friends
• spiritual fulfillment
• good health
• beautiful surroundings
• economic success
• a hat trick every once in a while

In writing this down, I’m reminded of the Instant Karma book I picked up at Jamba Juice a while back … I also recognize that this is the kind of thing I would normally write about in my “primary” blog (http://gumption.typepad.com) ... more evidence my growing obsession with 43 Things.