Neighbour Poverty
via CloudFactory Poverty Solutions
Do for others what you would like them to do for you.
To some people, this concept is better known as the Golden Rule. It conveys the concept of living a lifestyle that seeks to honour and meet the needs and desires of others. The foundational belief is that we all have needs and wants that cannot be fulfilled on our own. The best way to see those needs or wants fulfilled is to fulfil others before our own.
It isn't a new idea at all. The components and implications have been discussed and studied by many disciplines. Psychologists would say it involves empathy or the ability to identify what others are feeling. This is a good ability to have. Philosophers would call it perceiving others as a being who is as important as yourself. This nearly eliminates selfishness. Sociologists see that this principle allows individuals to aid and be aided by groups and vice versa. Therefore no person or group in society is beyond the reach of this principle. Most religions have a form of this principle. Most religions have a form of this principle in their teachings.
It isn't a new idea at all. The components and implications have been discussed and studied by many disciplines. Psychologists would say it involves empathy or the ability to identify what others are feeling. This is a good ability to have. Philosophers would call it perceiving others as a being who is as important as yourself. This nearly eliminates selfishness. Sociologists see that this principle allows individuals to aid and be aided by groups and vice versa. Therefore no person or group in society is beyond the reach of this principle. Most religions have a form of this principle. Most religions have a form of this principle in their teachings.
No matter how you slice it, this principle can bear the weight of entire neighbourhoods, entire nations. it is no wonder that this concept permeates so many facets of society and sciences. There may be no better way for individuals, groups and societies to grow in a mutually beneficial way.
Powerful concepts are simple to understand and yet very difficult to live out. This concept is particularly difficult, as it requires us to wait or put our wants on hold. Everything in our being may scream "what about me" and yet deep down there is a joy and peace that only comes when we don something for others.
Some may joke that the Golden Rule is really 'he who has the gold makes the rules'. The truth is such a practice only leads to discontentment for rich and poor alike. Loving others or considering the needs of others before our own is a very powerful notion. Yet without some clarity and understanding others, it can lead us astray. We are all unique and see the world from a different perspective.
This is wonderful and burdensome if you try to do for everyone what you want them to do for you. If you like quiet and keep everything quiet you will bother those that like noise. If you don't like being told what to do you will keep your opinions to yourself and miss sharing some wisdom with those that like to hear others ideas. Don't despair, there is a solution to this potential pitfall of preferring people.
Show humility and ask others what they like, what they need. It can be that simple. Knowing what another person needs or wants need not be a mystery. The only question that remains is whether or not will see this concept become common practice in our communities.
Powerful concepts are simple to understand and yet very difficult to live out. This concept is particularly difficult, as it requires us to wait or put our wants on hold. Everything in our being may scream "what about me" and yet deep down there is a joy and peace that only comes when we don something for others.
Some may joke that the Golden Rule is really 'he who has the gold makes the rules'. The truth is such a practice only leads to discontentment for rich and poor alike. Loving others or considering the needs of others before our own is a very powerful notion. Yet without some clarity and understanding others, it can lead us astray. We are all unique and see the world from a different perspective.
This is wonderful and burdensome if you try to do for everyone what you want them to do for you. If you like quiet and keep everything quiet you will bother those that like noise. If you don't like being told what to do you will keep your opinions to yourself and miss sharing some wisdom with those that like to hear others ideas. Don't despair, there is a solution to this potential pitfall of preferring people.
Show humility and ask others what they like, what they need. It can be that simple. Knowing what another person needs or wants need not be a mystery. The only question that remains is whether or not will see this concept become common practice in our communities.
Benefits of Rich Neighbourhoods
- No longer will the nicest homes and the lowliest shacks sit side by side in our communities.
- Kindness and general goodwill to our neighbours regardless of their religious, racial, financial backgrounds will be the norm rather than the exception.
- Misunderstanding that lead to all kinds of evils will be dealt with quickly and completely.
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