The Listenary

"Do unto others as you would have them do to you." As a child I learned the "Golden Rule," and I keep on learning more about it.

First, I learned the Golden Rule this way: "I know what I like and therefore I know what's best for you. If I were you I would want to receive what's best for me. So I will help you receive what I like whether or not it's what you want."

Second, I rejected the first way and learned the Golden Rule this way: "If I were you, I would want to receive what I like and want whether or not it's what someone else thinks is best for me. So I will seek to understand what you like and want and help you receive that whether or not it is good for me or you."

Third, I think there is yet another way to do the Golden Rule: "If I were you I would NOT want someone giving to me while resenting the giving. So I will seek to understand what you like and want and help you receive that if possible. However, if I believe it would not be good for me or you, I will say NO to helping you receive it."

Underlying all this is the additional factor that in order to do the Golden Rule, one must figure out what it is that he or she really likes and wants. I believe that's deeper than most people think.