The Golden Rule ~ Norman Rockwell

The Golden Rule has taken on actual meaning for me.

The young man who shot and killed students in Virginia said he did what he did because he had to, sent videos of himself to the media where he acted out his reasoning behind his actions, and has a history of anti-social behavior and a mental record (according to the media). One's reaction to this might be "man that guy was so psycho" or "that guy had a troubled soul" or "we need gun control" or "Satan influenced him" or "I'm home schooling my children in college" or "I'm scared".
These are all normal reactionary thoughts. But here's something to add to that.
This guy wasn't a gunman. He was a narcissist. He was so wrapped up in a sob story world of nobody likes me everybody hates me that he made no room in his life for.... room. All room filled to the brim with deliberate pressure and delusional theater of the mind where he dies a martyr in his own convoluted play.
One of my favorite phrases that I think goes hand in hand with The Golden Rule is live and let live. When you think everyone would have this stuff down by now, we violate it more than ever. Hypocrisy right here, right now. And right in this post. But I digress.
Lots of people want control around here on both sides. You can hear it in words, see it in what we do. It's everywhere! Supply/Demand. Hot New Arrivals (on April 26th at Nordstrom Rack)/Clearances. Bear Arms/Gun Control. Marriage/Divorce. Peace/War. People live for pressure, live under pressure, create more pressure. We pressure ourselves, pressure our lives, and most of all, pressure other people which is why the field of psychology exists and capitalism thrives. So how do we get out of the pressure cooker?
The answer to that question is to: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. The most important part to this: you better be able to answer the question that's implied first before you start treating others. And that question is: What would you have others do unto you? I propose that the narcissist in VA who killed so many students did not know the answer to this question.
So, Pg. 1 in The Golden Rule for Dummies Workbook.
1) Ask yourself, "Self? Do you know what you would have others do unto you?" If so, write answer here:
Well, for starters, I would have them not pressure me and not shoot me. And for seconders, don't outcast me if at all possible. Thirdly, show me you care. About something.
2) Apply the answer to #1 to anyone and everyone. Challenging? Yes. Creativity required? Yes. Courage? Come on, it's just fellow people. Reservation? Yes. Apply it right in my heart. The know-how will marinate with all the other good stuff that goes on in there and pour right on into my interactions like GOLD(enrule).
3) Now ask yourself, "Self? How do you feel?" If you feel, write it here:
No pressure, not an outcast, and like I care about myself and OTHERS. I feel good. I feel GOLDEN!!!!