Writings

The Golden Rule


Do Unto Others..
All over the world, there exists a simple precept that, when followed, has the power to end conflict and banish strife. It is the Golden Rule, a key concept in many philosophies and spiritualities that admonishes us to "do unto others as we would have them do unto us." Its meaning is clear: treat others only in ways that you would want to be treated. However, the golden rule is not always easy to follow. It can be a challenge to honor others as we wish to be honored. Yet, when we do so, we bestow a gift of loving kindness on our fellow human beings. And, in honoring others, we honor ourselves. It is as uncomplicated a tenet as one could wish for. When we live by it, harming another person becomes nearly impossible. The Golden Rule is rooted in pure empathy and does not compel us to perform any specific act. Rather, it gently guides us to never let our actions toward others be out of harmony with our own desires. The Golden Rule asks us to be aware of the effect our words and actions may have on another person and to imagine ourselves in their place. It calls on us to ask ourselves how we would feel if what we were about to do were directed toward us. And yet this rule invites us to do more than not harm others. It suggests that we look for opportunities to behave toward others in the same ways that we would want others to act toward us. Showing compassion, being considerate of others, caring for the less fortunate, and giving generously are what can result when you follow the Golden Rule. Adhering to the Golden Rule whenever possible can have a positive effect on the world around you because kindness begets kindness. In doing so, you generate a flow of positive energy that enfolds everyone you encounter in peace, goodwill, and harmony.

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Ignorance Can Be Bliss..


Knowing too Much..
These days, we can know too much. And while sometimes it can be a great benefit to us to know the tiniest details of events, both bitter and sweet, there are also times when knowing less about the future, our situations, and the world, in general, can be beneficial. Being blissfully ignorant does not mean ignoring vital information or shutting out the world's tragedies. Rather, it is a way to step away from knowledge that may only needlessly have a negative impact on your life experience. It's not always necessary to expose yourself to information that will only overwhelm you, hold you back, or cause you pain. Sometimes, ignorance can be truly blissful. While having all the information you need can help you make an informed decision, sometimes knowing all the information can be unnecessary excess. Especially when you are trying to pursue a goal, the knowledge of all the ways in which you could fail can keep you from even trying. Blissful ignorance can sometimes propel you forward because you never even knew that the possibility of failure existed. Ignorance can also be bliss when you are facing hardships. If circumstances force you to take on a job you dislike, you may enter your new situation with unpleasant and preconceived notions that can likely create the very circumstances you are dreading. Experiencing a situation with no expectations and no advanced notions can allow you to experience it as new, because your blissful ignorance prevented you from having any preset ideas. There is nothing wrong with avoiding "too much information," particularly when the knowledge isn't going to serve you. When information is emotionally draining, impedes your progress, causes distress, and isn't necessary to your experience, consider letting it pass you by. Remember the bliss of ignorance can sometimes be a gift.

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Moving Beyond the Past


Though your thoughts may repeatedly stray toward captivating future goals today, you may avoid truly ruminating on them. Such forward thinking can cause discomfort because it forces you to think about moving out of the boundaries of your comfort zone. If you are worried about the risks involved in changing the status quo today, it may be your past that's holding you back. You may be reluctant to make any decisions regarding your future. The solution may lie in positive visualization techniques that allow you to create the future you want in your own mind before trying to make it a reality. Your goals may seem much more attainable today if you can imagine in great detail the road you will take to attain them.

Overcoming your past can help you step onto the path toward a more successful future. Learning to let go of past mistakes, problems, and ideas allows you to stop being preoccupied with past events and look forward. Old habits, behaviors, and attitudes can put a damper on your progress. Reviewing and learning from them gives you a chance to put them into perspective and then examine your prospects with a fresh outlook. Old emotional baggage can act as a weight that keeps you rooted to one spot. When you banish it, you banish unproductive ways of living and fill the space it occupied with hope and a positive outlook. Overcoming your past may make it possible for you to finally go after the dreams you desire today.