Golden Rule Rules
My friend, Emily, asked something for which this is my answer: “There is no question that the world would be different if even only half the world lived by, and implemented the ‘Golden Rule’ into their daily lives.” But we both know that many people don’t.
If you ask folks if they have ever heard a saying like, “Treat others the way you want to be treated,” or “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” the answer from almost everybody is “Yes” every time – even with young children. Then if you ask them if they think it’s a good way to live their lives, people almost always say “Yes” to that, too. It’s only when you ask them if they LIVE their lives that way every day that you get people suddenly looking at you as if you just asked them to share details about their underwear.
Here’s what we all need to know: The “Golden Rule” rules. Or maybe I should say the “Golden Rules” rule.” After all, in every culture, and religion, and most (if not all) philosophies, some version of what many call the Golden Rule exists … and has been taught … for ages. And not only have people not figured out how to live the way they are taught, they have also not figured out that they really have no choice.
You see, there is another old saying that goes with the Golden Rule … like ignoring gravity goes with falling down; and that saying is: “What goes around comes around.” If you choose to pay no attention to the wisdom of the Golden Rule, you will get exactly what that ignorance will bring you. In other words, if you treat someone badly because the idea of treating them the way you would want to be treated doesn’t inspire you to do the right thing, then sooner or later … one way or another … by one person or circumstance or another … YOU will be treated badly. It’s gonna happen!
In some cultures, this idea is called ”karma” and can (for people who believe in this idea) even follow you from one lifetime to another … whether that’s in another body, or in what some call the “spirit world.”
But then, that brings up another puzzle: Why don’t people believe that “you reap what you sow?” (It’s funny how these old sayings keep popping up, huh?) But let me tell you why.
People don’t believe that “you get what’s coming to you” (another old saying) because they miss seeing the evidence. And they miss seeing the evidence because they are not really paying attention. And they are not really paying attention because they are distracted by what they think they are gaining from what they do. And what they THINK they are gaining is the correct or the best possible outcome … when what they are REALLY getting – at best – is a cheap imitation of the real thing.
At worst, they are getting things like…
(1) lives that suck no matter what they seem to gain; or
(2) payback from people who “Do unto others THE WAY they do unto you;” or
(3) they get sick and they don’t know why; or
(4) they go nuts … and don’t even notice.
People who ignore the Golden Rule can even get to be the victims of other people who figure out how the rude ones think and then make plans against them according to the saying, “Do unto others BEFORE they do unto you.”
Yeah.
What goes around, comes around.
These are the Golden Rule rules.
Do you think I’m kidding? Wrong? Misguided? Naïve?
Then I dare you to try and correct me where I’m “wrong!”
Robert Simon
Violence Prevention Specialist
Start Strong Wichita – a project of Catholic Charities
