Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

August 13, 2018

The Golden Rule was written by a narcissist.

“Do unto other as you would have them do unto you.” The Golden Rule sounds good but does not always work.  It is narcissistic of us to assume others want the same things we do.  Therefore, it is a narcissistic act to give others what we would want.  It is important to consider the desires and experiences of others.  It is effective to ask others what THEY want and follow that course.  Or, if we are unable to ask, it is better to consider what we know about THEM and give our best guess what THEY might want.  Either way, the focus should be on what THEY would have us do.  A better Golden Rule is “Do unto others as THEY would have you do unto THEM.”

When have others not wanted the same things I did?  Have I consistently taken this into consideration?  What gifts await me as I work on giving others what they want?