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No, I disagree. I do it because that is how I want to spend my life. If they don't, then I respond by removing myself or finding measures to protect myself. I am in charge of my life, how I think and feel. I cannot make anyone do anything that s/he is not willing to do or follow.Quote:
Originally Posted by JakeSilva231
I agree with you, I need to look at myself. I mean, the world as a whole would change if everyone lived by this rule.
https://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2...-to-graduates/
I just read this commencement speech delivered by writer George Saunders, and it reminded me of our discussion about kindness. It's a beautiful speech.
The problem with the golden rule is that too many people think it means "Do unto others as you believe you would want them to do unto you in the same situation" so they barge in and do something useless or harmful because they've misread the situation or their projecting they're own prejudices/personality onto the situation. It's like the helpful DH in another thread who decides to spare DW the work of hand weeding by spraying Roundup on everything. It's like the friend who volunteered to help me move by packing clothes and books, but while was busy elsewhere threw away everything in my house that she didn't recognize because it must leftover/broken parts from something.
Kindness is always appropriate, but if you think something beyond superficial kindness is needed, always ask "Do you need...?" or "Can I do something to help you?" No deep personal knowledge, or even shallow knowledge, is required -- just ask one simple question before you barge in.
It was a very simple but wise speech.