The Golden Rule also pertains to adults. Have you ever gone to a store and the person that processes your transaction is not in the most spirited mood or maybe someone has accidentally bumped into you at the store and did not apologize but walked off in a huff. Many times in these incidences it is so easy to say something about the situation or respond under your breath, but the best thing to do is talk to that person at the register about her/his day and try to cheer them up and apologize politely to the person that ran into you. Once again we never know what is going on outside of their present area.
I will leave you with this story: One time I was walking in Walmart and I was down in the dumps. I can't remember why I was down in the dumps, but I do remember that I was not smiling and I was at Walmart shopping.. I love shopping so I should have been smiling. An older gentleman walked towards me and he said, 'You know, Jesus, loves you.' and then walked off. To many that might sound corny but to me, it perked me up. I thought in my head 'Wow, Jesus does love me and that man took the time to remind me!'
That is a great story. Little things like a few kind words really can make a big difference in someone's life and it would have totally cheered me up had that been me!
ReplyDeleteGood reminder, because honestly, my reaction would have been to think the man was just a loony bird. I do try to think about the fact someone may be having a really bad day, got some really bad news, etc. I try....
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to purposely live and practice the Golden Rule. Great reminder; I think we tend to get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget about others.
ReplyDeleteI always give people the benefit of the doubt. You never know what they are struggling with.
ReplyDeleteSo true, you do not know what others are going through. A smile can mean so much!
ReplyDeleteThis is just so true! I hope I teach my kids this.
ReplyDeleteI find the little acts of kindness make the biggest impact. I remember one day my kids were just not cooperating but we had to do an errand --- all three were crying and I was on the verge myself. I felt a hand on my shoulder and a lady smiled at me and said to hang in there, and had me check out in front of her.
ReplyDeleteThat is so what I need on a normal day to day basis... I figure when I am having a melt down due to my kids or husband someone or some people are videoing it and getting ready to post on youtube!
DeleteThat's a nice story and a great reminder on how a few kind words from a stranger can really make a difference. Also, you never really know what someone might be going through so I appreciate the reminder not to pass judgement.
ReplyDelete-Janel C.
I love this post! It is so true. Just the simple way we smile or something encouraging we say can completely change someone's day or life!
ReplyDeleteI love the Golden Rule. When was in 5th grade, we made a list of 10 rules, and eventually boiled them ALL down to one class rule - the Golden Rule.
ReplyDeletenow that is an awesome school project and lesson... very good way of teaching.
DeleteI love those words. I try so hard to instill the golden rule in both of my children. Great post to read early on a Monday morning.
ReplyDeleteI loved your story because the same thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I had a chair my dad gave to me right before he passed. The chair was so ugly, but when your dieing dad asks you to take it home with you, you can't say no. That was 8 years ago and a few weeks back I sat in it and it fell apart!!! It was in such bad shape for its 20 years of age, we just decided there was no more fixing it and time to take it to the dump. Hubby took it apart, I kept some leather off of it and the rest went to the trash. The next day I was in Walmart in the garden area and I stopped to look at some inpatients. I can't grow those at my home because of too much sun, so I NEVER stop to look at them. But those flowers were my dads favorites. While I was looking at them the tears started streaming. An older gentleman came up and asked if I was ok and I told him I was having a memory and he just touched my shoulder and went on. I cried all the way home!! Maybe it was because I broke my dads chair and saw his favorite flowers. And who knows Aimee, it could've been the same angel who touched you, also touched me in Walmart. www.mylifeabundant.com
ReplyDeletethat is the sweetest post I've read all dang day! you got me all watery eyed! MAYBE you seeing those flowers was your dad showing you a sign and saying it's okay.
DeleteSounds like he was there at the right moment. I've had times when someone has come up to me and told me to smile... and it's thrown me off because I wasn't in a bad mood, just wasn't smiling at the moment.
ReplyDeleteI have always thought that you should treat others the way you would want them to treat your grandparent or your child. With kindness, love and patience. Now that I'm a parent, I know that I want our son to see that the world isn't cold or hateful but one filled with kind, thoughtful, loving people. It takes just one moment to leave an impact.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how a simple smile or a few kind words can totally change a person's day. Even when I am in a bad mood, I try to be nice and considerate to others because they may have it worse than I do!
ReplyDeleteGreat story!! This something I need to remember on the daily. It's so easy to forget!!
ReplyDeleteSo true! I am teaching my daughters this for sure! Thank you so much for the insights!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great story. I really do believe that you have to treat people the way you want to be treated. It can be hard to always remember to do that.
ReplyDeleteI was at a restaurant and a young guy wanted to pay for my meal and I told him he doesn't have to do it, and then he told me that 'Jesus Loves Me" and then walked off. I think people are currently paying it forward to others. It felt great for him to say that to me!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that awesome! Puts a happiness in your heart when stuff like this happens.
DeleteThank God for that gentleman. It really does help when somebody says something to you:)
ReplyDeleteI love both of these quotes, especially the first one. I'm one of those people who can hide when I am struggling with something, so people always think my life is going super well and perhaps I don't get support when I need it. Because this happens to me, I know it's happening to others as well; therefore, I always try to remember others are struggling with something as well.
ReplyDeleteWe really have lost this a bit in our society. Hopefully, with stories like these we can bring it back together!
ReplyDeleteI definitely try to instill this into my kids as well - most often reminding them when it comes to their siblings! lol!
ReplyDeleteThese are excellent reminders of a great outlook on life. It would be so nice if everyone lived by them.
ReplyDeleteI love this way of looking at things. If you want to see someone smile, go to the grocery store where a quarter is required to get a cart. Give someone your cart. It makes their day, particularly if they don't have a quarter. - Jen @ The Rebel Chick
ReplyDeleteI always try to follow the golden rule. I see no reason to treat people anything but kindly in the first place!
ReplyDeleteThis golden rule is something I tell my kids all the time. If they aren't smiling, give them a reason too. :)
ReplyDeleteI have definitely been the one who let my "mood determine my manners" and it's not something to be proud of - following the golden rule is far better.
ReplyDeleteI try to always treat others how I want to be treated. I don't do a good job at that once they have mistreated me though.
ReplyDeleteLove that story! It's always a good idea to treat others how you want to be treated. I think it always ends up coming back to you.
ReplyDeleteI think far too many people have forgotten the Golden Rule!! We'd live in a much kinder world if more people would put it into practice!
ReplyDeleteI think it was very sweet of the man. And I'm glad it worked. :)
ReplyDeleteI grew up with people all around me being cruel to me. I was picked on every day at school, my parents were... mean. Yet I'm still the nicest person you will ever meet (when I feel like being around people). Funny how things work out huh?
ReplyDeleteA kind word can go a really long way in improving someone's day. I've experienced this before, and I try to make little comments when I can to others. The golden rule is so important!
ReplyDeleteBeing in a good mood I think is contagious. They say I go through life wearing rose colored glasses - I say nope - I know the many evils of the world - I choose to smile. I realize not everyone can smile all the time - I can not fly a airplane - but I can help bring someone out of a bad mood and the pilot can get me to another place.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think kind words are needed every day. You just never know how much someone needs to hear something kind.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! Jesus does love you and wanted you to know it.
ReplyDeleteThe golden rule is a really important rule to live by, and to teach our children to live by.
ReplyDeleteThis is really a good rule to follow and also teach your children.
ReplyDeletegood reminder but if some random person said that to me I would have thought they were crazy, lol
ReplyDeleteAn elderly couple bought my husband and I dinner at BJ's Brewhouse. Anonymous. It was sweet.
ReplyDeleteI love that old man! Great rule to live by and he was living it out.
ReplyDeleteI've always tried to live by this rule if only because I'd hate to make someone else feel the way that others have made me feel in the past. That being said, it amazes me how many ADULTS do not live by this rule.
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