“Treat others as you want to be treated.” I am sure that we have all heard this at one point in our lives. This all sounds well but does it really mean anything? Of course this tries to teach us to be respectful of others, but does that truly do anything. I believe interactions with people has a huge impact on my life.
When I was younger I would struggle to make friends in school, like other children, I was stuck in my shell and could not seem to come out of it. I was just very shy. If you knew me back when I was younger you would know what I am talking about. At this point in my life it would make my day if anyone (literally anyone) would come up and start a conversation with me. There were some days where I would not really talk to anyone at all. Those brave other children who came to talk to me really had a major impact on how the rest of my day went. There was one day in first grade that I can remember I was particularly upset, my cat had died. No one else in my class knew what had happened or what was wrong, and no one really seemed to want to know except for one person. He came up to me and simply asked why I wasn’t smiling. Without needing to be prompted to do so he actually comforted me. He is still my closest friend today.
The reason that I bring that story up is to mention a new one. I was walking back from class on Monday and I saw a friend. For whatever reason she looked very down. I noticed this but did not do anything. I just said “hello” and continued on my way. Over the past few days I have been upset with myself for not reciprocating what my friend did for me in the first grade. It has really been eating me up. Maybe all my friend needed was someone to ask why they were not smiling, but I did not do that.
I have come to interpret the saying “treat others as you want to be treated” as not only treating people with respect, but also, having the courage to help them when they are having trouble. I certainly appreciate it when people respect me, but I respect those who has the courage to come up to me and tell me that they think something is wrong. I respect and appreciate people who are able to do this. That is who I want to be treated. Hopefully next time I see a friend who does not have their usual smile I will have the courage to treat them with the respect that I have come to appreciate.