In
every religion I’m familiar with, in secular humanism and just good old fashioned
home training, treating other humans with kindness is a value embraced by
all.
Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. – Buddhism
Consider what humanists aspire to be as ethical agents. ...
They wish always to respect their fellow human beings, to like them, to honor their strivings and to sympathize
with their feeling. – Secular Humanism
So in everything, do to
others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12 - Christianity
We can be more tolerant,
more neighborly, more friendly, more of an example than we have been in the
past. Let us teach our children to treat others with friendship, respect, love,
and admiration. That will yield a far better result than will an attitude of
egotism and arrogance (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “A Time of New
Beginnings,” (Apr. 2000 General Conference). – Church
of Latter Day Saints
“Ben Zoma asks, ‘Who is
worthy of honor?
The one who treats others with honor.’”
Pirkei Avot (4:1) - Judaism
The Qur’an says, “Do not let the
hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be
just: that is next to piety.” (Quran
Surah Al-Maa’idah, 5:8) That is, do not let your enmity for
your enemies exceed the limits and turn you away from justice in either words
or actions. – Islam
Each of these religions also admonish us not to repay
evil with evil. 1 Peter 3:9, Sunan al-Tirmidhī ,
Prophet Moroni admonished the Latter Day Saints to not respond with evil but
with kindness. While I know all this to be true, every once in a while, I
forget.
The
other day I spoke with less than kindness to a customer service person at
Costco and it made my grandson laugh out loud. It wasn’t funny, he was just
shocked to hear it. It reminded me that I’m an example and he’s watching.
Yesterday
I had to go to another office to pick up a check which had been delivered
there. As I walked in, I said “Hi, I
have a check to pick up.” One woman looked up but ignored me as if I hadn’t spoken.
The woman with the check, one desk over, raised the check above her head with
one hand while never looking away from what she was doing. She raised the check
like a flag, waving it towards me without ever looking at me or uttering a
word.
Taking
the check being waved at me, I said “Thank you” and exited the building. The level of disrespect and unkindness was
shocking.
Granted,
these were the same women who said very derogatory and nasty things about me
just a few weeks ago…and I certainly don’t expect gushing kindness or welcoming
arms, but professional kindness…is that too much to ask?
As
I drove away, I was seething. That level
of disrespect is something that angers me instantly.
And
then I remembered my encounter with the customer service person at Costco.
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Okay,
okay, I’m listening. I get it.
So,
thank you ladies for reminding me that I fall short in living up to my own
values. Lessons come in many forms.
