Thou shall not bear false witness...

It’s best to support the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. The problem is the truth is hard to find these days – unchecked claims abound on most of the channels we turn to for our news and that’s clearly not helping. Many people long for the days of unbiased news, when newscasters told what was happening without coloring it with commentary. People long for the time when ‘truth in advertising’ was the rule, not the exception. And people want to believe in what politicians, business leaders, spiritual leaders say. What I don’t get is why these leaders aren’t held accountable when they break the 9^th biblical commandment: Thou Shall Not Bear False Witness. That’s simple and straight-forward – tell the truth. Not an interpretation of the truth, or a truth that suits your purpose. Or to be clearer: don’t lie, even when the lie suits your purpose. You lie on an application for a job: you’re disqualified. You lie to your lover: you’re dumped.  You lie under oath, when you've sworn to tell the truth and nothing but the truth: you're in contempt of court. We may not like the truth, but we all deserve to be told the truth. Which means that everyone should be held accountable for telling nothing but the truth today.

 

Byron Pulsifer (born 1960): Canadian author

Doing good should be its own reward..

Young boys often do outrageous things to get attention… mostly from girls. Class clowns grow up to be group jokers, and it takes a lot of growing up to learn that’s not the right way to get attention. Along the way, we learn not to trade our self-respect for some fleeting attention. That often comes when we first note the kind of attention doing good things and the right things attracts. And while that’s not something we study or learn in school… it may be one of life’s most important messages. It comes from the realization that doing good is its own reward. That may come from the admiration of others, but more importantly it comes from the self-satisfaction you get from a job well done. The first time that happens, it’s like a light bulb going off – understanding the importance of doing what’s right. That lesson is certainly highlighted and emphasized when someone catches you doing what’s right. So, when you see someone doing something good, pay it forward by giving them an atta-girl or atta-boy. That’s the best way to teach them the importance of doing what’s right today.

 

Gary Goodridge (born 1966): Trinidadian Canadian former heavyweight kickboxer and mixed martial artist fighter; before that, he was also one of the top ranked contenders in the world of professional arm wrestling.

Another way to say the Golden Rule...

 As kids, we used to say all kinds of things about others, never thinking about their feelings; getting laughs at the expense of others just seemed like a fun game.  Until someone says something mean about you… then it starts to sink in. It’s a long time learning the meaning and nature of respect – that one must give it to get it. And as one’s authority or position grows, it becomes far more important to refrain from saying things that are nasty or untrue – it reflects badly on the person speaking, on their position, and those they’re associated with. The nature of leadership is to be respectful to all, always, and to set the example for others. Whether in a corporate setting, a social setting, or a political one, disrespect reflects badly on all associated with it. That’s something you’re supposed to learn as you’re growing up – the right to be respected is won by respecting others. It’s a universal lesson. One that everyone should learn and practice today.

 

Vasyl Olexandrovych Sukhomlynsky (1918 – 1970): Ukrainian humanistic educator in the Soviet Union who saw the aim of education in producing a truly humane being.

Act the way you want others to act towards you...

As kids, we used to say all kinds of things about others, never thinking about their feelings; getting laughs at the expense of others just seemed like a fun game.  Until someone says something mean about you… then it starts to sink in. It’s a long time learning the meaning and nature of respect – that one must give it to get it. And as one’s authority or position grows, it becomes far more important to refrain from saying things that are nasty or untrue – it reflects badly on the person speaking, on their position, and those they’re associated with. The nature of leadership is to be respectful to all, always, and to set the example for others. Whether in a corporate setting, a social setting, or a political one, disrespect reflects badly on all associated with it. That’s something you’re supposed to learn as you’re growing up – the right to be respected is won by respecting others. It’s a universal lesson. One that everyone should learn and practice today.

 

Vasyl Olexandrovych Sukhomlynsky (1918 – 1970): Ukrainian humanistic educator in the Soviet Union who saw the aim of education in producing a truly humane being.