I am also sure many of you have heard of the golden rule, right? It basically means treating others the way you want to be treated. It’s a great sentiment really. However, what happens when, even though you’ve treated someone the way you want to be treated, they don’t treat you the same way back? That’s the catch, it’s not a guarantee!
The problem is that no one anticipates this tricky loophole and their frustration often leads to a negative response, sometimes to just that other person, but more often towards themselves and others around them as well. Their self- doubt can kick in and feel as though there is something wrong with them, even though a person’s reaction to you has more to do with that person than yourself. Also, combine this frustration with someone prone to anxiety and, therefore, potentially perfectionism, and anger then takes over because they can become enraged that someone would treat them differently than how hard they work at treating every one perfectly fair! Simply, some things are not meant to be gotten. If someone’s reaction towards you makes you now want to treat them differently that gives them the power to change your character, and that’s something that shouldn’t so easily be relinquished.
It reminds me of a poem called “Anyway”, by Mother Teresa:
People are often unreasonable, illogical and self centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you’ve got anyway.
If you find yourself struggling to not let the golden loophole compromise your character, please call STA at (201) 488-6678. We can help you see the true value of the golden rule and The Golden Loophole once again.
