Nuance Of The Golden Rule

Yup, the golden rule is to treat others the way you would want to be treated.

But the concept is so 1-1, direct, and immediate.

It does a very poor job of motivating people to have foresight; how to respond in a single moment, but for a future impact.

Consider a situation that you’re moving and then a new couple is moving into your house. Applying the golden rule may make you think simply of being nice and supportive of them when you meet them at your closing. You’re gonna treat them how you’d want to be treated when you interact.

But what about how you leave the house? Did you touch-up paint for them? Did you mow the lawn for them? These are actions that 1. they benefit from later and 2. you will never know if they appreciated your efforts. But it’s safe to say that you would have liked people to have treated you that way if you were moving into the house, no?

The golden rule is a great mentality, but like anything meaningful, it’s the nuances of it that actually make it shine.

Stay Positive & Future-State Is Just As Important As The Present Situation

Garth Beyer
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