The principal of my old elementary school signed a book for me. He wrote, "You're a delightful young lady, blahblahblahbahdeblahblahblah. Etc...and he closed by saying, "Always remember to live by the Golden Rule and you will go far in life."
I remember furrowing my brows, I was maybe 8, 9 years old, and I wondered which rule that one was. I hadn't had any of the teachers make me write that one down 10 times, or do an essay on it. I figured teachers and apples went together.. and there were such things as golden delicious apples, I thought, so I was pretty sure it had something to do with not playing with, bruising, or otherwise destroying said apples. Or..maybe it had something to do with not scribbling or drawing in those "Little Golden Books" children's books. I made a mental note to ask someone the first chance I got, because, a worrier, even back then, how could I know if I was breaking it if I didn't know what it was... I sure as hell didn't need any rule breaking discipline there, my Mom worked there.
I got busy, as kids do, and time after time, forgot to ask someone, "Hey, what exactly is that Golden Rule that Mr. Mahan was going on about?" It'd come back to my mind from time to time but as time went on, I figured if I hadn't broken it thus far, it was likely I wouldn't break it any time soon, so I could stop worrying about it... and too, if I did break it, I'm sure someone would take me to task for it.
I went to many churches over the span of my life, but in all honesty, never once did any of the ministers or deacons, or any of the congregation ever nudge me and mention this "Golden Rule", much less explain it. I remember finding out what it was from, of all things, a television commercial.
Oh sure, Mom taught me to treat others like I wanted to be treated, but she didn't say it was the "Golden Rule" - I just thought that was her idea, like "Take those shoes off before you come in the house." and "Take your elbows off the table!"
In case you're interested, here's an online essay. How cool is the net?!
Posted by juel at January 19, 2008 12:01 AM