Using The Golden Rule

One of the things I always try to keep in my mind is Service to Others (STO) versus Service to Self (STS). In Simplicity you can consider it following the Golden Rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. And the funny thing is that when this philosophy is practiced it tends to attract good things back into our own lives.

Lets assume that you practice the Golden Rule in all aspects of your life, you bring your neighbors empty garbage can in from the street, or lets say you treat your family members with kindness instead of taking them for granted, or maybe even go the extra mile and stop to help a stranger that is in need. The person that is receiving these kind deeds will undoubtedly experience a feeling of gratitude, but another thing starts to happen also.

The recipients of kind deeds will start to treat you with kindness and respect and not only that but you will start to feel a satisfaction in yourself , a positive feeling that you are a good person, and a positive reinforcement in your own life. Service to Others always seems to return the same to the giver. Call it the Cosmic Law of Karma.

Little things like this that each individual can do on a daily basis can collectively change the world. A journey starts with a single step.

Some steps that we all can use to practice the simple Golden Rule:

1. Stop being critical - We as humans have a tendency to be critical of others, whether it is people that we know, or we find ourselves screaming at someone on the television that we don’t agree with. Just for a moment stop… and put yourself in the other person’s shoes and think how you would feel being the recipient of such criticism. Learning to interact with others in a positive is a acquired skill that takes practice.

2. Be friendly - Flash a smile frequently, learn to say how are you, open the door for others. These are all very small things that you can do on a daily basis that will brighten the days of others. Who doesn’t like to feel welcomed and appreciated.

3. Practice compassion - Once you start practicing the Golden Rule it will help you to understand others and allow you to feel what they are going though. There is a particular person where I work that always seems to be in a bad mood, complete with the scowl on his face and always trying to get over on others. Not many people like him, and I admit we have had run in’s together a couple of times. The other day he had to leave work because of a family member with a health crisis. You could see the anguish in is face, and even the things that he had done to others that were wrong, you could see the concern in others eyes for him. Compassion at it’s finest.

4. Become larger than retaliation - Human tendency when treated wrong is to lash out and strike back. The Golden Rule is not about retaliation, but rather putting forth kindness regardless of how you are treated. This is one of the rather difficult ones to tackle, but can be accomplished with continuous practice. Now this doesn’t mean you have to be the doormat of others but rather asserting your rights in a thoughtful manner.

5. Send yourself a reminder - Post the Golden Rule near your desk, Use it as a background on your computer, write it on your hand or tie a string around your finger to remind you to practice the Golden Rule.

No one ever said life was easy, and although we spend a lot of time fixing our cars, our homes or our possessions, little time is spent on fixing ourselves. Be the change that you wish to see around you. Notice the results of following the Golden Rule. You will find more happiness, more compassion, more love, and trust returning to you and enriching your life. Take Care my friends.

3 Responses to “Using The Golden Rule”

1. DAvid Keating says:

   February 25, 2008 at 11:27 am

   I have Google set to send me email when it finds references to the Golden Rule, which is what led me to your article.

   A terrific article Charles. I am always looking for articles that speak to the practical application of the Golden Rule and your piece certainly does that.

   Enjoyed it very much.

   David Keating
2. Charles Hamel says:

   February 25, 2008 at 12:16 pm

   Thank you so much David

   It’s all so simple isn’t it

   But it is a mystery why so many of us find it hard to live by those rules.

   Don’t you just love Google’s ability to search the net for us and report back… I use that function on a lot of different topics.

   Take Care my friend and I appreciate your participation.
3. Deb Estep says:

   February 26, 2008 at 2:48 am

   First off I want to preface this comment with
   this…. “I am by no means a saint”.

   But… the Golden Rule is so much a part of me,
   that it’s not something I have to give thought to.
   It’s now second nature, oR maybe JUST nature for me
   to live this way.

   For me… living the Golden Rule is ‘being the
   change I wish to see in the world’.

   I have a category on my blog called:
   “Grow a kindness garden, transplants welcome”.

   Come to think of it…..
   The category could be subtitled: Living The
   Golden Rule.

   The best thing I could hope for would be
   for others to copy the category and to also
   share stories what you have extended as a kindness,
   or a kindness that has been given to you.

   xo xo
   Deb