A Golden Rule Gentle Reminder

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Did you know that the people that seem the strongest are usually the most sensitive? 
Did you know that the people who exhibit the most kindness are usually the first to get mistreated? 
Did you know the ones who take care of others all the time are usually the ones that need it the most?

Why can’t people say what they mean and mean what they say?

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The quotes above may appear to be unrelated, or at best loosely related. The first quote is, of course, the Golden Rule. The second is a generic post on Facebook that has been passed around, and the third is a comment I posted not too long ago. These quotes are related to each other in two ways:  one, they have been on my mind lately; and two, they all deal with how we treat and interact with others; the connections and inter-connections between us as humans.

The first quote – the Golden Rule – should stand on its own and I shouldn’t have to say anything more. But…though I can sometimes be cynical about the world in general (an unfortunate by-product of 15 years in Corporate American and counting), I still have a basic fundamental belief in this rule. And yet, there are so many examples out there on a daily basis where I doubt this rule is being followed; doubts that this rule exists in the consciousness or even sub-consciousness of society.  Maybe sometimes we all need a gentle, or not so gentle reminder. For now, I’ll stick with the gentle approach.

The second quote struck me pretty deep, and mainly because it holds very true for me. My intent is not to trying to launch a pity-party here or draw attention to myself. Instead, I see many examples out there - maybe not on a daily basis, but very often – where outward strength masks inner sensitivity, where kindness is taken for granted (or worse, taken advantage of), and where those who give are continually expected to give, without a break or thanks or some show of gratitude.  Maybe sometimes we all could use a show of gratitude, or some kind words. That small token of appreciation can really go a long way for someone in your life who deserves those words. Good deeds generate more good deeds…exponentially. Good deeds left to wither eventually fade away.   

The third quote is really a cry for honesty. There are definitely daily examples of conversations between people where comments are vague, or incomplete, even if unintentionally so. Unfortunately, on the other side of the conversation, when someone is trying to determine the meaning of a conversation, and is left confused or unsure, that in turn can really go a long way, in a bad way, of sending someone down a dark road of uncertainty and second-guessing. In a world and a society where life seems fragile, and where many of us are fleetingly hanging on to hopes and dreams while trying to swim through the raging floodwaters of life, of working, of making ends meet, of trying to get through the grind – in this world, the last thing we need is some unclear words to come in and add to everyday stress.

Years ago, in college, I attended a Christian seminar on dating and relationships. I was in a relationship at the time. There was one message that stuck out more than anything else, on the topic of pleasing your partner. Pleasing in this case was meant to cover all contexts –physically, emotionally, spiritually. The big “secret” (as it was called) was this:  most people’s natural actions represent subconsciously how they want to be treated. In other words:  (Subconsciously) do unto others as you (subconsciously) would have them do unto you.

I’ll let that hang out there for a while, and let you think about it. Think about how you treat others, and think about how it would feel to be treated that way. Is it good or bad? And why?

And in the meantime, here’s the gentle reminder:  can we follow the Golden Rule? Reach out and thank those who are kind, who may need strength, or a little bit of taken-care-of. Be honest and open.  Don’t let a good deed go unpunished. Life is short…don’t wait until it’s too late.