The Golden Rule

We’ve all heard it before—but do we live by it? Do we actually think about treating other people the way that we would like to be treated?  Obviously a lot of people don’t live this way—otherwise the world would be a much happier place.  I’d like to say that I live this way, and many days I think I do.  But there are other days that I know I could do better, and through writing this blog I’ve learned to be more aware of how I am treating everyone around me.  I’m really trying to be more conscious of my words, my actions and my reactions, the way I respond to the people in my life.

I was reading an article the other day about how people see January and August as beginnings, as time for change—January because it’s the New Year and everyone has a list of goals and ideas; August because it’s the new school year and no matter how old we are, the August air will always be filled with the smell of pencil lead and new possibilities.  I’m included in this group—it’s only natural to feel this way.  But January and August only last for 31 days each…combined, they are only 20% of our entire year.  I think the best thing for us to do is to make the decision every day to live the life we want to live, to have the relationships we want to have.  Some days we will fail (many days, actually!), but as the song goes “there’s always tomorrow”.

When I thought of this post, I wasn’t even thinking about the way I treat others…I was actually thinking about the way others treat me.  I was having a very grateful reflection about the good people I have in my life—not just my loving family and my wonderful friends (all of whom I’m always writing about on the blog), but also my new friends, my Facebook friends, all of you who read my words on this blog every day.  As I watch the numbers on each post, I am humbled by the amount of people who have even the slightest interest in what I have to say.  As a lifelong writer, there is no greater feeling than knowing that my words are being heard.  In other words, what you are all doing for me—reading my words and telling me that you are enjoying the journey on this blog with me—that is exactly “what I would have done to me”.  I pray that I can “do unto you” in a way that makes you happy and fulfilled in your life’s dreams and expectations.

Let us never forget the golden rule.  We are never too old, too good, or too special to be above this way of living.  Thank you all for helping me to keep this in the forefront of my mind…looking for the good is a great way to make the golden rule a part of your day.