The Golden Rule tells us to treat others as you’d like to be treated.
But which others?
I personally treat my brother differently than my sister and I definitely treat the gardener much differently than I treat my fiancé, Suzy.
I'm more affectionate with Adrian.
Everyone in your life is typically treated in a very specific way depending on your relationship; different energy, more or less eye contact, genuine concern, fluctuation in nodding, snoring, etc.
How do we quantify and qualify how we treat others based on the fact that we treat everyone differently?
Do you treat the guy in line who’s groveling and rude to the cashier the same way you treat the cashier?
Do both deserve to be treated the same way?
Maybe so, maybe not.
I can write yes now but in the situation I'm sure I'd find myself pouring a bit more sympathy & compassion into the cashier when Señor grumpy-pants may need it more.
You may ask yourself: “How should I treat this super rude dude who's clearly having a bad day?”
Well how would I want to be treated by a perfect stranger if I was having a bad day?
“I can’t hug him – that’s creepy. I can’t compliment him because he’ll probably see right through that and it could backfire.”
The reason it’s kinda tricky figuring this out is because “treat” is the wrong word.
A better word is, help.
Help others as you’d like to be helped.
Maybe the best way to help that man is to check in and ask if everything’s okay. Or maybe you just give him a bit of space, send some prayers and positive vibes.
When we ask ourselves how we can help another, the answer is usually a lot more clear.
As you make your way through this upcoming week, think of how you can help another person and you’ll discover that in doing so – you’re actually helping yourself.
Here's a bit of help… to get you started:
1 Thing to Think About
Think about what it would mean to help a loved on as well as a complete stranger in a NEW way this week.
1 Thing to Feel
Remember a time when you needed help and received it. FEEL that humble gratitude run through you and think about what this would mean to another.
1 Thing to Act On
Push yourself to take action, step out of your comfort zone and help 2 different people this week.
Here’s something to anchor your heart into a place of service through this very special week.
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love.”
Martin Luther King Jr.
Be sure to check out my my video on YouTube about the power of Gratitude if you haven't already - you may think you have an understanding… but I may take you a few levels deeper:)
As always if you're in need of a bit more personalized support in transforming your mind and life, please don't hesitate in reaching out, here's a bit more info on how I can help.
I'm Grateful for You!
Joe