The Golden Rule

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I yet have to see or hear a quote more often used and referred to than: “Do unto others, what you want others to do unto you.” More popularly known as the Golden Rule, it is used as a guiding principle by so many.  In fact, there are various other inspiring quotes that could trace its sense and dogma to the rule. “A good act deserves another”, “No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted”, “Do good to the people you meet on your way up for they will be the same people you will meet on your way down”. But is the rule really all that golden?

I honestly believe that the Golden Rule by itself is not exactly the best law of life, and a world where everybody lived by this rule, may be quite a long way from Paradise. Before you all raise your eyebrows and start letting hell loose, allow me to tell you why.

Let us dissect the saying. Anything made of gold is precious, few and expensive; a rule is a code of conduct that needs strict adherence to. Roughly, we have a precious, valuable code of ethic that, when followed should provide the world with the right symphony and pave the way for peace and harmony. At this point, I could almost hear the choir of angels in front of the pearly white gates of heaven.  What I’m saying is, God gave us a free will which provided us with a gray other than just the black and white world we live in. This is the real world, with real people and real mixed emotions.  We are not in an Ethiopian, idyllic world where everyone does things for the betterment of others. We are in a “dog eats dog, you-scratch-my-back-I-scratch-yours” kind of world where people always ask: what’s in it for me? before agreeing to do something or worse, how much?  Yes, ours is a horror-filled, manipulative and profit-oriented society and what you do to your neighbors depends very much on what you want your neighbor to do for you.

Take for example our chaotic lunch breaks. Some boys have hired cooks or mothers who have all the time to prepare lunch fit for a king while most of them are just content with pathetic sandwiches, what was left over from breakfast or a wad of bills to use in the cafeteria.  The more enterprising would trade off their flat, soggy sandwiches for a taste of the epicurean feast by saying, I’ll treat you next time or tomorrow I’ll bring something for you. Then there are the group reports that need to be done in one of the member’s houses. Then the other says I’ll bring my dad’s videocam, another volunteers to write the script and here comes a group member who lives all the way in Laguna who couldn’t make it after classes. Then everyone agrees that he should pay for the editing of the film or else they’ll tell sir he wasn’t there! There’s always a tradeoff somewhere.

            Have you watched the tabloid news lately? A holdupper, caught escaping with the loot tries to haggle for his release by saying “if you set me free, I’ll tell you the names of the other gang members and their whereabouts. Then let’s divide the stuff among us ok?”And the police officer agreed! Notice how the number of law enforcers involved in crimes have tripled? When asked what led them to commit the crime, they say they just want to ensure a good future for their family because their salary is not enough. Does the end justify the means in this case? He just wanted food in the mouth of his family, medicine for his sickly child, education for his children. Such care and affection, so we’ll set him free to steal again, maybe even kill next time.

Once, a student got a high grade in math. His close friends knew he cheated but couldn’t tell on him because they, too, cheated and if they squealed, so will he.

We must never sacrifice values and self esteem for popularity. I don’t care if I am branded a loner, or uncooperative, or “not-one-with-the-world” if I refuse to be a part of dastardly acts.

The real issue is our points of view, which are largely affected and shaped by our upbringing, self-esteem and faith.

            The real essence of the Golden Rule provides that we treat others according to our standards of what is good, based on the standards we have set for ourselves. In everything we do, we must always consider the betterment or elevation of our personal standards and work hard to keep true to it. Never compromise your beliefs. Never give in to peer pressure even if there’s just you against all odds, even when you feel the whole world hates you.  At the end, you could always walk tall and say, I did what I believed is right.

            So, to those who make others feel inferior, maybe it’s because you’re already at the bottom.  Always remember along with the golden rule, to be contented with nothing less than what you have done, what you are doing and what you still have to do…for no one can do these for you, no one can do them BUT you!