A New Twist on the Golden Rule

The Golden Rule: Treat Others as You Would Have Them Treat You.

Sounds good in theory, but not always so easy to follow. Growing up, the Golden Rule among other biblical sayings were often spoken when a punishment was handed out. Some phrases I learned by experience; others were just down right perplexing. “An eye for an eye?!” Too old testament for me. Its sentiment is a juxtaposition for the soul that lives the Golden Rule.

For decades, I questioned the Golden Rule. As a child, I observed the believers of said rule and watched as their lives contradicted the very philosophy they sought to teach me. I listened as they judged, blamed and criticized others. For a child, this was confusing, poor life lesson to teach.

As my soul-searching journey progressed, I discovered the rule while ideal in theory, was virtually impossible to apply to everyday life. Why were people treating one another unkindly? Why was the world rife with hatred and bigotry?

When I finally came to the realization that "we don’t see things as they are, we see them as we are" and "everything we observe, judge, etc. reflects our own feelings about ourselves", AND "we can only give what we have," I understood why the Golden Rule is so difficult to follow.

If you don’t love yourself, you will treat yourself like a meat suit. You will have forgotten you are on this earth not to be a mindless consumer of things, but to express your gifts and talents as the beautiful spirit you were born to be. Gifts that fulfill your soul’s purpose; your reason for being that benefits not only you, but the entire world as well.

Proof is in the Pudding

Do you treat yourself well? Do you take care of your body? Do you nourish your mind with good thoughts? Do you live as a spiritual being with a happy heart, or are you judgmental and critical of yourself and others while feeling frustrated, fearful and disappointed with your life?

Your life tells the story of you.