Friday is New Year's Eve. Some Americans make New Year's resolutions for the coming year. These resolutions range from bettering a person's finances to bettering a person's health. Most of those who make these resolutions admit they do not keep their resolutions.
As I was contemplating my own possible resolutions, an idea crept into my thoughts: what if instead of choosing to improve my own self, how about working to improve my relationship with others? And then that thought expanded to wondering if we all could work to improve our relationships with others. As I was thinking about how to express the ways to improve relationships, the Ten Commandments came to mind. So I've adapted the Ten Commandments for some simple rules to improve human relations. A new style of resolution. One I hope to keep.
1. Respect other people's views of religion.
You believe what you believe; this does not mean I have to believe the same. Throughout history, many wars and battles have been fought in the name of some "God." Blood has been spilled because someone did not respect another's religious view. Even those who do not believe in God refuse to respect a religious person's view.
I've heard (and seen) many atheists who have called faith in God "stupid." Listen up atheists: if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it; no one asked you for your opinion. And listen up religion advocates: no one is going to go to hell because they don't follow your religion. If that statement is true, then everyone is destined for hell.
Think about it. If Catholics say only Catholics will make it to heaven and if Protestants say only Protestants will make it heaven and if Islamists say only Islamists will get rewarded after death, then who will actually make it to heaven?? Can we please stop with the war of words?
Respect another person's view, even if different, and move on. I'm sure each of us will be judged by our interactions with fellow human beings and not by the religion we chose or was chosen for us.
2. Do not speak to others in vain.
How often do people wish they could take back something they said? In those cases, they spoke in vain to another. Try not to speak to others while mad. And when the situation is so impossible you must speak while mad, take a deep breath before actually speaking. We should chose our words carefully. Again, the respect element comes into play. Respect an other's point of view. If you do, then the task of not speaking in vain will come easily.
Also, do not speak bad about others behind their back. You might as well be speaking in vain to them. Feel free to speak to them about to their face. (This is one I MUST follow!).
3. Take a day of rest each week and share the day with your family.
How often do we allow the daily grind to get in the way of our most important support structure: our family. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. Such a true statement. If we don't stop and enjoy the company of the people around us, our company will not be desired.
Even if you don't have any family, share the day with friends. Relax. Unwind. Allow the stress of the week to ebb before wading back into the stream.
Your mind, your health, your sanity will all improve by taking a day off each week.
4. Honor your mother and your father.
These people brought you into the world. At the moment of your birth, at least one of them welcomed you into the world with love and affection. Return the same, no matter the cost. I am saddened whenever I hear stories of dead beat dads. The joy both the father and the child could've enjoyed has been wasted by the choice of the father. (I'm sure there are dead beat moms with the same results.) Even the dead beats deserve a tiny iota of respect. To give love where no love is deserved will make the giver a better person. How could you not respect someone who loves another when that love is not deserved? The giver of love must be a special person to do what they are doing. I would gladly surround myself with these people.
Most happy people exude love and friendship to those around them.
5. Do not commit murder.
Human live is sacred (even if you're not religious). Respect an other's right to live so that other's will respect your right to live.
6. Do not commit adultery.
This includes those not married. The respect element comes into play again. Respect your partner. Even during troubled times. An open relationship is better for the both of you. If you can't be honest with your partner, who will you be honest with?
7. Do not steal.
What is not yours is not yours. Leave it that way. How much respect do thieves show to others by taking what is not theirs? Should we show the thieves the same respect?
8. Do not accuse anyone falsely.
Lies hurt. How much respect does someone who lies deserve?
9. Do not covet other's belongings.
This leads to jealously and broken relationships. Enjoy what you have. Fate is not kind to everyone; but, if we can thumb our nose at fate by enjoying our lot in life, society will be for the better. Coveting leads to stealing...
10. Do not worship wordly goods.
Those who work hard to keep up with the Joneses most likely are violating some of the other commandments. Work to stay alive. You'll live longer than those who are working to amass "things." People and relationships are more important than the new-fangled 3D television. Refer to commandment #3.
These are my New Year's resolutions. The element of respect is the cornerstone of each of the commandments. I will strive to respect the people around me more this upcoming year. I hope you do the same.
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