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EDITORIAL: Golden rule stands the test of time

The golden rule takes many shapes and forms, but has largely stood the test of time. Known as do unto others or treat others the way you want to be treated, the simple advice is better said than done.

The golden rule takes many shapes and forms, but has largely stood the test of time.

Known as do unto others or treat others the way you want to be treated, the simple advice is better said than done.

In the day to day lives of people, numerous stresses and frustrations can come out and leave people forgetting they alone are not the only ones with emotions and feelings who feel hurt and pain.

It’s easy for people to get passionate or emotional about a topic or issue and lose sight of the common goal.

Whether it’s a council meeting, a Subdivision Development and Appeal Board hearing or public hearing on a development, people’s passions can lose sight of the greater issue at hand.

In public-facing jobs such as service sector or public sector, people may feel a right to attack those they believe they have power over or a sense of entitlement that is owed to them.

Unfortunately, when people look to get their own way, they can forget others may also be impacted. The road to hell is often paved with good intentions and forgetting or simply ignoring others in the way of getting there is all too common.

People are allowed to make mistakes or be misjudged, and it takes all people understanding that everyone is flawed in some capacity, while everyone deals with trauma, negativity and pain in their own way.

In the workplace, a culture defines an organization from top to bottom.

How employees and employers treat one another is often the sign of a positive or toxic work environment.

When a culture in a workplace is failing, the entire entity itself can be seen in the same downward spiral.

Respect – a primary foundation of any workplace or living situation – can lead to happiness, motivation, increased feeling of worth and better productivity.

In personal relationships, the same can also be true.

Whether it be friendships, family members or partnerships, people can fall into the same continuous trap. Only those who have the lived experiences can properly express what they’ve seen and felt, but it takes open communication, time and a level of maturity to find a path forward.

It can be all too common for people to be afraid to admit what they’ve been through. They can put up walls, feel guarded, be emotionless and simply avoid discussing those experiences. People can turn inwards and forget there are those who will offer kindness, support and friendship.

No one should ever feel held back. Whether it be from their past, present or future or workplace, relationships and their every day experiences, a sense of self worth is important and the time needed to heal is everything.

When people live through those traumas, it’s easy and not unfair to see them close off to the rest of the world. But with support and courage, taking those first few steps in establishing a sense of belonging can help self-worth. 

Everyone, in some capacity, is damaged or scarred in some way. No one gets through life being untouched. Life itself can be a traumatic affair where a Jekyll and Hyde mentality can take turns, changing by the day, hour or minute.

The golden rule should always be remembered as it can fit into all realms of life and not dependent of past experience, but rather a choice.

It’s how you deal with understanding, discussing and working together that sets people apart.

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