​DOING UNTO OTHERS IS DOING UNTO SELF

Most of us are familiar with the saying about doing unto others, as we would have others do unto us.  I am a believer in this golden rule and readily apply it in my life. But, I, also, believe what we do unto others, we do unto ourselves. 
 
Think about it.
 
When we are mean to another person, this brings about some kind of harm.  Feelings are probably hurt.  The person might get angry.  There could be a demeaning and hurtful exchange.  The energy that now exists is flowing with bounds of negativity.  This negative energy flow does not flow in one direction.  That which we put out comes back to us.  In some form, through someone and through some experience, in time, we definitely get a taste of our own doing.  And believe me, it is much more than a taste.  It is more like a 7-course meal that comes back to us like a fierce boomerang! Some might refer to this as reaping what we sow.  I agree this does characterize what happens but there is so much more to it.






 
If I take some hateful action toward another person, that hate has to, first, originate within me.  I cannot give what I do not have so what does that say about me? My actions are not a reflection of the person I target with mean words.  My bad behavior is a reflection of me.   What I say and do tells the world who I am.   
 
Even if I have a valid dispute with someone, how I handle myself in response to the dispute, defines me, not the person I believe is causing me anguish.  I can hear Michelle Obama saying, “When they go low, we go high.”  Absolutely.  This is what I’m talking about  -- in part. Another person’s actions never justify being less than our best selves.  When we stoop lower than the Creator made us to be, we dishonor ourselves.  Not to mention dishonoring the Creator.
 
Personally, I don’t think it should take a threat to our own image to motivate us to treat one another in a loving manner.  But if this works to get us to do what is right, then so be it.
 
What is most important is remembering that you cannot give someone something you do not, yourself, have.  If you are hateful to another, you carry and possess a hateful trait, even if only for that instance.  The effects, however, will linger longer than the encounter and they will, without a doubt, come back into your life – somehow, at some time.  Is this what you want?  I am pretty certain you do not.   It does not matter whether you believe your conduct comes back to you. It does whether you are a believer or not.  What is the harm in embracing the thought that what you put out returns?  At best, you will find yourself honoring who you are while bringing honor to another.  Because, after all, doing unto others is doing unto self.

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