Treat others as you wish to be treated. That’s what we’re taught, right?
Somewhere along the way, probably in the thick of teenage hell, many people gain a bit too much just-don’t-give-a-shit and throw the intention behind the Golden Rule out the window. Thick skins, sharp tongues, general detachment and a healthy dose of peer pressure alter our view of how we want to be treated. “Words roll off my back, so they should roll off everyone’s.” I’ve heard it, I’ve read it, and yes, I’ve thought it.
Maybe you never treat someone poorly directly, but you’re guilty as sin of thinking of them poorly. You may even speak poorly of others.
I do. I’ve considered people watching in a crowd with friends a spectator sport for years. We see something odd or funny or horrifying and snark on it for a laugh. Replace “crowds” with the Internet or Hollywood, and I think I’ve probably discovered America’s new favorite pastime.
Pull up a chair, pop some popcorn and harp on someone who amuses you. We’re all kings and queens, and Anonymous Passerby is our court jester. Dance, stranger! Give me something to laugh at!
Then I had kids. I look at strangers who pique my snarky interest differently. That’s someone’s baby. Well, they used to be. My babies will someday be big and out in the wide world, and someone might look at them and see or hear something they find different or amusing and whisper a rude comment to a friend for a laugh – at the expense of my baby.
Perfection was redefined when I met Toby, Eleanor and Callista. They have their flaws. They have their quirks. Their features aren’t all perfectly symmetrical and may be a bit too small or a bit too big or a bit crooked, but every last feature is perfect because they came with or have developed with these three people I won’t imagine life without. They’re growing, so of course we’re working to help them change and grow, but I wouldn’t dare wave a magic wand and instantly change something just because it isn’t what my brain decides is normal.
Random Passerby/Celebrity/Internet Person, thinking of myself and how I’d like you to treat me probably won’t stop this tough cookie from cracking a joke at your expense – I can be a real jerk like that – but thinking of my trio and how others might see them will halt my rude thoughts quicker than a cheetah.
They need to edit the Golden Rule: Treat others as you wish your favorite people to be treated.
Perfect
So well written.
wow! I LOVE your last sentence! I USED to look at certain kinds of young people and see them as just that – a certain kind of young person that I thought I was better than. Now that I’ve had my own three children I look at them and think “they used to be sweet little babies and they’re still some mother’s Baby”. Thank you for this post.
It really boils down to whether you like yourself or not, doesn’t it? And I don’t mean the selfish part, but instead just being comfortable with yourself. Then the golden rule makes sense.
There’s only so much you can do to influence the thoughts and treatments of others toward you, and I think a great amount of self respect and love allows you let what others say and do to/about you slide. A good self opinion often overrules a public opinion.
Beautiful reasoning how you come to your conclusion; “Treat others as you wish your favorite people to be treated.” and I think YOU (yourself) should be part of ‘your favorite people’
Sometimes it takes changes in events in our lives like having a baby or losing a loved one to realize that we should treat everyone with respect including ourselves…