"Quelque part au fond de moi il y a un homme bon il est juste introuvable."

This quote speaks to the struggle within many people—the battle between who we are and who we wish we could be. It's about feeling like there’s a good person somewhere inside us, even if that person is buried under layers of mistakes, regrets, or just the complexities of life. We all have moments where we doubt our own decency or the ability to be the best version of ourselves.

Historically, this kind of sentiment has been expressed by many people who feel overwhelmed by their actions or circumstances. Think about someone like Charles Bukowski, a poet known for his raw, unfiltered look at the human soul. He often wrote about his struggles with inner demons, expressing how hard it was to find the "decent man" within.

Let's dive into a real-life example to make this more concrete. Imagine a guy named Jake. Jake’s been through a rough patch—lost his job, his relationship crumbled, and he's alienated some friends. He’s made some bad decisions, turned to drinking to cope, and now he’s feeling pretty low. Deep down, Jake believes he's a good person. But right now, that good person is buried under all his life’s rubble.

Jake's story is practical. We’ve all known a "Jake" or even been Jake ourselves. So, what can he do? The first thing is recognizing that the decent person he thinks is missing isn’t gone for good. It's about small steps—maybe he starts volunteering at a local shelter or takes up journaling to process his feelings. It's not about a huge overnight transformation. It's the little actions that help him reconnect with that decent person inside.

Here’s some advice if you feel like Jake. Start by being kind to yourself. Seriously, cut yourself some slack. We’re all human, and we all screw up. Identify small, positive changes you can make. You don't have to climb a mountain; sometimes, a walk around the block is enough. Talk to someone—a friend, a therapist, anyone who can help you see the good that’s still there.

Now, picture this: there's a woman named Laura. Laura’s juggling a lot—her job, taking care of her kids, and trying to support her aging parents. She’s stretched thin, and sometimes she snaps at people she loves. She feels awful afterward, like she’s lost touch with the loving person she used to be. One day, her daughter draws a picture of the family and gives it to her. Laura’s in the center, surrounded by hearts. Her daughter sees the good in her, even when Laura can’t see it herself.

This little scenario is relatable and reminds us that sometimes, others see the good in us even when we can't. Laura’s daughter helped her reconnect with that decent person.

To sum it up, feeling like the decent person inside us is lost doesn’t mean they're gone forever. Like Jake and Laura, taking small steps and being kind to yourself can help you find that person again. And remember, sometimes the people around us can see our good side even when we’re struggling to.