The Golden Rule
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
This is known as the Golden Rule. It’s what I try to live my life by and I do my best to keep it in mind during all of my interactions with others both on and offline. Under normal circumstances, it’s really not that hard, and I think that most people naturally do this in regular interactions. In certain cases though, it can be very, very difficult, and those are the times I believe it’s the most important.
One example that is very applicable to Steem is with online interactions. When interacting with others over a distant and impersonal medium such as the internet I think we often lose sight of the fact that the person on the other end of the computer screen is a human being - just like ourselves. When that happens we lose the natural inclination to treat the other person as we would like to be treated.
I find that I also have this tendency sometimes when I interact with people online and to combat it I try to think about how I would act if I were talking to the person face to face. We all know that most people would not say the same things they post online in a face to face interaction!
The hardest thing that I’ve found though is to continue to apply the Golden Rule even when someone has treated you badly, or wronged you in some way. In many cases with people who are typically very nice to others, everything goes out the window when someone does something they don’t like. This is again exacerbated when it happens online.
The rule is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. period. It doesn’t have any exceptions or conditions. It doesn’t say “do unto others as you would have them do unto you, except if they’ve treated you badly first”, although this is how it’s often implemented in practice.
If you want to really be a true follower of the Golden Rule (as I try to be, although I’m not quite there yet) then this is the part you need to master. To still be able to treat someone with kindness, understanding, and empathy even after they have attacked or wronged you is the ultimate achievement in self control and personal interaction, in my opinion.
There are many, many times on Steem in particular where someone responds to something I’ve written with a mean, personal attack, and my initial reaction is almost always to respond in kind. But I’ve learned to wait and give it some time before I respond which allows me to remember and apply the Golden Rule.
If everyone could apply the Golden Rule - even in these difficult situations - then Steem, the internet, and indeed the whole world would be much better off. Of course I know that that will never happen, but at least I can try to do my part by following the rule in my own interactions, and if this post helps even one other person do the same then it will be well worth the effort to write it!
Thank you for reading! I know this is quite different than my typical posts about bot tracker updates and various other development projects, but I hope you liked it. Let me know what you think in the comments and I will treat thoughtful commenters the way I would like to be treated on Steem - with upvotes!
wow @yapapmatt
'many times on Steem in particular where someone responds to something I’ve written with a mean, personal attack, and my initial reaction is almost always to respond in kind. '
I am surprised on two counts with the above.
(I hope I was not one of them : ) )
This gives me the idea that there is still hope for me. Maybe not much but some.
Of course you were definitely not one of them! But you would be surprised - there's a lot of people who don't like voting bots and that's where a lot of the attacks come from. I understand that point of view completely even if i disagree with it, but disagreements should never call for that kind of behavior.
Also I definitely get really boiled up a lot of times and it really takes a lot of effort on my part not to lash out back at the person.
I think steemit offers a platform for both spreading kindness and rudeness. This post has inspired me to pursue the second one more. I remember the first time someone upvoted my post and left a nice comment, I was so happy! I think all of us could benefit from following the golden rule as much as possible, thanks for the inspiration!
Well I think that this is such a great rule. I'm in love with the Golden rule.It is a law of nature that whatever action we take in this world, there is always a reaction. If we do well, we stand to gain a good reward. We must always try to have an impact on people who cross our path every day, we never know what tomorrow will bring. Anyways your absolutely right to say that people don't intent to say things directly to the face but can do so online and behind their back. It's so sad that people are like that, I have a few of those people on my plate as well but man does it hurt. Anyways I think golden rule is the way into the future.
❤️🙏Thanks @yabapmatt. A very timely message and reminder for us all. I too try to live by this and, as you say, it’s most important during the times when it’s the most challenging. I like what you said about pretending the person is face to face with you.
It can be so hard to understand where people are coming from, what makes them take the actions they do... we’ve gotta be kinder. Personally and I think there are sooo many here on steemit who feel this way too: I’d love steem to be able to be an internet haven among social sites. Indeed, when I first joined one of the things that amazed me the most was how kind everyone was. Given recent in-fighting, we’re up against a large challenge and I hope many can hear your words and take them to heart 💜
Very true! People escalate everything in their online responses vs face to face interactions, the blockers of anonymity and the disconnect of body language decrease their attachment to the other person.
I think the golden rule is even more important in online interactions, as there is a permanent record of all your communication on the internet! Also things can quickly spiral if you get into a mud-slinging fight online, far better to nip it in the bud with unexpected kindness!
Thank you @yabapmatt for reminding us about the golden rule.
The Golden rule is something that comes naturally with me too and I am glad that I have, because it is working for me here on steemit.
Am still able to upvote some people's post who have made themselves my enemies and it takes the golden rule to do that.
Good you shared this, so that the world would be reminded because it is lacking in the world.
Resteemed.
Those that follow this rule need no other rules.
Other than maybe "don't eat yellow snow" :-P
This is a unique post from you. I have been known to lose my shit over the very simple of things. This would be really cool if i could follow this rule. Thanks for sharing this. I will definitely think before i post anything silly the next time
Interesting concept what you call the Golden Rule, it is not easy try to empathize with everybody but "stop" "think" and apply this rule is the best action anyone can do, probably if the other side is attacking the golden rule action will disarm this person and you could change the situation inmmediatlly. I am sure this is the best way, try to empathize and do what we wait from others. Thanks for share! Please, more post like this, I vote and fallow you! try my post and comment if you like https://steemit.com/ego/@marceladiomede/what-is-ego-for-you-for-me-ego-is-losing-myself-in-the-shape
For me, not lossing in the shape is apply the golden rule!
Yes this is a good point and does happen surprisingly often. Thanks for mentioning it!
i think it is difficult to treat someone with kindness when they attacked and wronged you
but what i personally do i remain silent and doesn't respond
if every one could apply the golden rule then this world would have been different!