Posted By David on January 1, 2009

Every new year holds the promise of change; of renewal.

After all, that’s why, from time immemorial, human beings (or at least those in the northern hemisphere) have held festivals at the winter solstice. The days are gettng longer, the sun is returning, the world grows warmer (well, we used to think that was a good thing).

The symbolism, whether we’re religious or not, is impossible to miss.

So whether or not we’re more or less optimistic than in years past is a matter of perspective. There are those who would say we have less than ever to be optimistic about. And yet …

In a related article, Four Years to the End of the World, I suggested that we should resolve to believe that we have just that much time to change.

Are we up to the task? And how do we go about it?

I guess I’m one of the optimistic ones. I believe that, as a whole, human beings are capable of change. Sometimes its simply a matter of convincing ourselves that there is a way to accomplish it, and a real need to do so. It seems to me that this year we have been shown both.

“Global economic turmoil” affects everyone in ways that environmental degradation doesn’t. No matter how much we want to save the planet, the task seems too big, and too distant, for the “average” person to become totally engaged. But when our jobs, our savings, our homes are in jeopardy, we are fully involved. We understand the need.

As to the how – more and more I hear the term “Do Unto Others,” It’s usually accompanied by words like “tolerance”, “cooperation”, and “compassion.”

Paul McKenna and the Golden Rule Poster continue to make global inroads in raising awareness of the universality of this Principle of Mutuality.

And Mussie Hailu’s work in Africa and with the United Nations continues to spread the message that we must, after all, find the unity in our diversity.

In the end, there is really only one question to ask, one fundamental perspective to start from. It is the beginning of true and lasting change, of transformational renewal -

How can I treat the “other” as I would wish to be treated?

May 2009 be the year that we, the entire human race, dedicate ourselves to answering that question.

David Keating

Categories: Change
Tags: compassion, do unto others, Golden Rule, Golden Rule poster, Mutuality, peace, Principle of Mutuality, universality