“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Who wrote this? This has been in our culture and taught to children for years. I recall it on my 3rd grade wooden ruler inscribed “The Golden Rule.” Any idea? Think a moment. Was it an American politician, president perhaps, maybe even Mark Twain. Wrong, all wrong it was Confucius. Didn’t know you had been taught the Chinese philosophy of Confucius since you were a child? You have an international perspective, yes? This is a wonderful belief, but do you practice it?
Let’s think about it, how is it you want to be treated? Do you like others to open doors for you, not talk back to you or maybe just not raise their voice? You could make a list of actions on the way you wish to be treated. This would give you a picture on the things you need to work on. What is your major one belief? Ask yourself, “I want people to treat me ___________.” Fill in the blank. My personal belief is: I like people to look me in the eye and speak honestly to me. What did you decide your need is?
Now lets put this into action. For you to recieve this treatment, you would need to do the same to others, correct? For me I want others to be honest so I would look you in the eye and speak honestly to you. This can be a disaster if I get too honest in my actions! Therefore I am learning to watch my honest comments. Being honest can actually hurt feelings. So I work daily on this along with other attitudes I value. I think expectations are important here. What is it you expect from others? This is a life long commitment you make to yourself, to treat others as if they were you. Many of our great masters did this, not just Confucius (500 BC), but Jesus, Buddha and Mohammad. (It is in Matthew 7.12). Maybe Jesus studied Asian philosophizes too.
Think about the next time some one cuts in front of you in traffic, instead of yelling at them, think he’s in a hurry he needs to get in front of me. He could be hurrying to pick up his child, let him go and bless him. Maybe he’s not, but bless him anyway. What would it hurt to bless someone who is miserable? Nothing, you just sent some sweet energy to someone who probably needs it. Do it more often and you will find you are happier and more content with yourself. Maybe next time you cut in front of someone, you look up apologize with a wave, they smile back and let you in. It happens, good things really happen. (By the way I miss driving my car in China, so do an extra wave for me when you are out driving and get stuck in traffic!) That would be a happy thought you could send me. Sweet energy everywhere.
Today work on treating others nicely, or as Confucius would say create a more “benevolent society,” one of his favorite set of words.
