Always remember the Golden Rule

"Do to others as you would have them do to you."

- Luke 6:31 (NIV)

Have you ever thought about how you would like to be treated? Stop and think about it for a moment. We all have some idea of the things we would like others to do for us. It wouldn't be hard for us to make a mental note of each one.

An act of kindness could warm our souls. Kindness is portrayed in a handshake, a simple gift, a word of acknowledgment, a sweet smile, a free meal and a loved one's compassionate, listening ear.

We would also enjoy being treated with courtesy. After a hard day at work, we're exhausted and feel like we've already spent our energy; stopping for groceries is the last thing we feel like doing.

We're searching for a bright spot and wish someone would give us a break in line, as we slowly inch our way toward the checkout counter. In this day of busy schedules and hectic lifestyles, the world appears to have a dog-eat-dog existence at times. And no one gives us a break.

But Jesus told us that if we would do unto others as we would have them do unto us, the world would be a better place to live.

Oftentimes, we think in opposite terms and do to others as they do to us, closing ourselves off from being kind hearted for fear of being taken advantage of. When under the pressure of being treated wrongly, we want to become sinful and vengeful over every little thing.

In our daily lives, Jesus instructs us to take a mental note of how we would like to be treated and use it as an example of how to treat others. This principle is recognized as The Golden Rule.

Each day we can assess the different situations we encounter and examine how we would desire to be treated if we were in the other person's place. When faced with the challenge, we can take the opportunity to live according to God's Golden Rule.

• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She can be contacted at P.O. Box 532 Grayslake, IL 60030, or Annetteebudzban@aol.com.