The Golden Rule Can Suck It

I was taught to treat others as I wanted to be treated. This is a good idea. I would even go so far as to argue that this is the ideal. However, what I know about the ideal is that it seldom operates well in real life.

In real life people are unkind, selfish, narcissistic opportunists. They will enjoy and revel in your ability and willingness to treat them well, but offer very little in return. They will take what they can get and leave you empty, alone, and hurt, asking yourself where you went wrong.

Perhaps this is because we were also taught to give people the benefit of the doubt. There are many people that I have encountered in my life whom I gave the benefit of the doubt, treating them with kindness, compassion and even love. Only to be stolen from, betrayed, cheated on, lied to, and taken advantage of.

To treat people as we would like to be treated is a noble and good idea, but only when extended to those whom deserve it and are capable of receiving with humility, devoid of this ever present cancer called entitlement.

We need to be more cautious and careful with our kindness, concern, and caring. We need to take the time, energy and discernment to protect those things of most value in us; our hearts, trust and compassion. If we dole these things out willy-nilly we will be hurt and lose these things entirely.

Then where will we be?