Last time I wrote somewhat facetiously about my New Year resolution to be conscientious in shredding all the old financial documents that had been accumulating in the “paperless society” which we had been promised.

Today, I have a more serious resolution which will not be so easy to keep.  It is to live according to the rule to do unto others as I would have them do unto me i.e. the Golden Rule as it is commonly called.  In some ways this makes perfect sense.  After all, who doesn’t have a clear idea of how they want to be treated by others?  The ideas may differ from person to person, but it seems to be a universal truth that all people know when they haven’t been treated as they believe they deserve to be treated.  So, it seems to make perfect sense that we should treat others the same way.  However, in practice it certainly is not that easy. 

Take a simple example.  You are walking along a city street and are approached by someone who has a somewhat disreputable appearance.  You know pretty well what is going to happen next.  They are going to ask you for some spare change or enough money for something to eat.  Your defenses automatically go up and you wonder what you should do.  Perhaps you should ignore them and walk on by quickly.  Or perhaps you wonder if this person is really in need or is it a scam?  OR perhaps you wonder if they will just use the money for something less appropriate than food such as cheap wine or other drugs.  You ask yourself if they are deserving of your help. 

Lorna and I were in a Tim Hortons in London last week in a part of the city that has a strong representation of homeless people.  While in line I was asked by someone nearby for money to buy a muffin.  I did give him a Toonie, but I haven’t delved into the thought process in coming to that decision.  That is just a small example of what should be a relatively straightforward case.  I do not always respond that way to such requests for various reasons as I noted above.  If we want to make the Golden Rule our way of life, it truly will complicate things. 

C.S. Lewis addressed the challenge of a Golden Rule New Year resolution:

I may repeat ‘Do as you would be done by’ till I am black in the face, but I cannot really carry it out till I love my neighbour as myself; and I cannot learn to love my neighbour as myself till I learn to love God: and I cannot learn to love God except by learning to obey him. 

So, I guess the best way is to start with the small things – small steps in keeping my resolution at least some of the time.  Something to consider on your Journey through 2025.