Our view of the world and how we perceive it, and more aptly how we see and treat each other, stems from our own personal experiences — good, bad, or somewhere in between — and how we have been treated by others. The ability to show compassion, kindness, and empathy to others is dependent upon our own capacity to understand that we must see each other and treat each other in a manner that we would want to be treated. To evolve and grow in a humanistic way we must first learn not to treat others in a reactionary way but in a compassionate proactive way, which is the Golden Rule in a nutshell.
The Golden Rule, something that we have heard time and time again throughout our lives, sometimes gets misinterpreted as “do unto others as they would do to you”. This is not the what the Golden Rule actually teaches. The reality is many people that you run into may not treat you with good intentions or with respect. Treating them the way they treated you creates a vicious cycle of mistreatment.
The Golden Rule is meant to be understood as “treat others as you would want them to treat you”. If you treat someone in the manner that they treat you, your reaction might end up perpetuating bad behavior, resentment, and continue the pattern of hurt and pain. If you treat others as you want to be treated, a proactive mindset will have you treating others with respect regardless of how they have treated you. If you want respect, treat someone else with respect. If you want kindness bestowed on you, bestow kindness on others.
To truly spread empathy, understanding, peace, justice, mercy, and all other positive qualities we want in this world, we must be willing to take ownership of our pain, our hurt, and our own shortcomings and recognize that everyone around us deserves to be treated in a manner that will uplift them. To create positive change, not only in the world around us but in our own lives, we need to keep the Golden Rule forefront in our thoughts; and when we are tempted to take revenge, lash out, or simply forget that we are all human beings and humans make mistakes, stop and remind yourself to “Treat others in the manner in which you would want to be treated”.
I don’t know about you, but I want people to forgive me, to treat me with respect, to nurture me, to guide me, to be kind when I’m having a bad day. I don’t want someone to treat me like I’m less of a person. I want to be encouraged, I want to know that I am able to make mistakes and still be able to be treated with compassion and empathy. It is because I want to be treated as a human, and I know first hand the pain when someone treats me bad, tries to tear down my character, and create division that I don’t want others to feel the same way. The secret to learning what true compassion is all about, was learning to put in place the Golden Rule and imagine myself in their shoes.
I’ve learned, and sometimes the lessons are not easy living in a stress filled fast paced life, is no matter how a situation might be upsetting, life is more than my little world and my problems. The Golden Rule made me focus on taking the time to think about my actions and how they can uplift another human being or cause them distress.
The things I have become because of the Golden Rule:
I am kind because I have experienced what it feels like to be treated with malice and ridicule.
I am generous because I know what it is to live without.
I am compassionate because I know what it is to suffer.
I give people the benefit of the doubt because I have been accused of things I have not done.
I forgive others because I have made mistakes and want to be forgiven.
I show others grace because I have experienced the blessing of mercy when I may not have deserved it.
I cheer people on and want them to succeed because I know how it feels to be doubted or overlooked when I accomplish a goal.
I am patient because I understand not everyone has the same abilities or learns in the same way.
I want people to be patient with me when I attempt to do things that I’m unfamiliar with.
I encourage others because I have had days when I needed encouragement.
I will mentor others and uplift them because I have failed and learned from my mistakes.
I show love to others because I once felt unloved myself.
I will include others because I know what it feels to be left out.
I am wiser because I have learned we all hurt, we all make mistakes, we all deserve an opportunity to better ourselves, and we are all human.
What lessons have you learned that have made you wiser and more compassionate? Drop us a comment below and “Like”, “Share”, “Tweet”, “Link”, or “Pin” this article to keep the positive vibes going.
