The Golden Rule October 12, 2020
life
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“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

I will bet you heard this more than a few times when you were a child. Or at least some variation of the “Golden Rule”. I can easily remember my parents telling my brother and I on many occasions when we were small children… “treat people how you want to be treated” Or if we did something they weren’t happy about it was more like “would you like it if someone treated you that way?”. That question is painfully simple to understand. Which is why it can be asked even to a young child. You know the answer without thinking. Unfortunately, as I look around these days, I feel as though we have forgotten our “Golden Rule”.

Just where and when does our “Golden Rule” for human behavior originate? Well, a quick Google search will tell you it dates back to a really long time ago, like at least to Confucian era (551-479 BC). Although it’s concept and variations can be found in most cultures and religions throughout history. Per Wikipedia, in 1993, 143 leaders of faith from around the world endorsed the Golden Rule as part of the Declaration Toward a Global Ethic. It appears that historically, human beings from around the world accepted the concept of treating others how you would want to be treated. Not that difficult to believe.

So what has happened? Why have we forgotten our Golden Rule? You cannot read or watch news, or browse social media without noticing how toxic everything has become. Perhaps it’s our devices that are partly to blame since so many people hide behind them, posting and writing things that they would never have the guts to say to someone’s face. But unfortunately, those words typed instead of spoken hurt people just as easily. Folks used to be able to discuss religion, social issues, and politics without name calling and undesirable labeling of each other. Why we veered away from civilized conversation is a mystery. The truth is, it uses up so much of our precious energy to be angry or hold onto hate for others. I have certainly been guilt of it in the past. But I have learned that it takes away from our own happiness. Of course we want everyone to see things our way. That seems to be human nature. But which approach do you think might have a better chance of convincing someone to see your point of view…being rude, refusing to listen, and calling people names, or showing respect for one another, listening, and learning why they may have a different perspective. Stop for one moment before you post something on social media that may be hurtful to someone and read it back to yourself. Are you certain that those words are the ones you want to put out there?…because words do matter. No one likes to be belittled. Everyone wants to have a voice. My hope is that we all find our way back to our simple, yet powerful and timeless Golden Rule.

Have a wonderful day!