We all make choices everyday. Some choices are easy, while others are very difficult. Many people choose to lie. These lies can be small or large. Some are told to avoid hurting others. Many are told for selfish reasons. My world does not tolerate lying and I practice what I preach. There were a number of friends who were once a part of my life, but then they lied to me and were no longer my friends, period. There are no second chances. The proverbial Golden Rule is all about treating others the way you, yourself, want to be treated. Sounds simple, however, we do not all want the same things or the same treatment.
For instance, I would want someone to tell me if my new haircut looked terrible. Other people, however, would feel offended or embarrassed. How do we know what the right thing to do is? If a friend asks whether you like her new look, do you tell her the truth if it will hurt her, or do you lie and constantly have to pretend when you are with her? These are tough choices, but also unavoidable in everyday life.
I honestly do not know if a person can be completely truthful their entire life. As I mentioned previously there are some situations that make it challenging. Also it is often a person’s nature to take the easy way out even if that means being untruthful. Therefore, maybe we all have to learn not to lie and learn not to be selfish. The way to learn is to be taught and our parents or those who raise us are the teachers.
People need to listen to their inner spirit. Guilt is heavy and for some and cannot be lived with. For others, there is something missing which allows them no empathy. Are we are born with empathy or do we learn it by example? I truly believe the way adults treat children determines which path they choose to follow. There are exceptions, but the majority of us learn by example. This circles right back to treating others as we would want to be treated.
Someone once said, “Hurt people hurt people.” As harsh as it may sound, children who are treated miserably are more likely to become miserable themselves and continue the cycle. This can lead to un-empathetic societies.
If, however, someone does not have the best guidance at the most critical developmental stage of life, society has a choice. We can lock up our children when they defy our moral code of conduct, thereby dismissing them, or we can rise above this and begin to show more empathy to those who need our love and support. So where do we start? Perhaps with a smile or a helping hand rather than punishment. Do unto others indeed.
