Taking My Cue From The Golden Rule

Taking My Cue from the Golden Rule

Do to others as you would like them to do to you.

I was sitting in my office making notes one afternoon when a recently hired social worker came in and asked if she could sit down. I obliged and asked how she was doing. She told me she was fine, but she had a question for me: How did I get along so well with everyone at work? She went on to explain that she had been talking with a seasoned coworker who told her that if she wanted to know how to navigate relationships in the workplace, she needed to talk to me because I seemed to get along with everyone.

I was a bit taken aback by her statement, although I appreciated the compliment from my older and wiser coworker. While I certainly did not engage in relationships perfectly at that workplace, I tried hard to be friendly to everyone. This meant that I was intentional not to gossip, backbite, or get sucked into any cliques, and I was quick to offer help to others when asked. I did these things, not only because I am a Christian and believe this to be a way to live out my faith, but also because I understood that I might need my coworkers one day, and I wanted their help and friendship when the time arose.

I told my coworker that I just tried to be kind, friendly, and follow the Golden Rule, and that was how I had been successful in relationships at work. She thanked me and said she was going to try to do the same.

On the surface, treating others the way we would want to be treated sounds easy enough, but imperfect people (ourselves included!) can make this command challenging to follow. It takes self-sacrifice to approach others as we would like to be approached—in the way that we love, forgive, or show compassion and help (even to people we don’t particularly care for). And yet, the reward is great: healthy, blossoming relationships—even friendships—where we might not have expected them.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Think of ways that you can treat others how you would like to be treated, whether with friends in the workplace, at home, or in your community.