The Golden Rule of Kindness: Inspirational Roundup
“Love the Lord our God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength…and thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” (Mark 12: 30-31 KJV)
The car ride to the event was uncomfortable.
My daughter was nervous and didn’t want to go, and I didn’t blame her.
Truth was, I was nervous, too.
These types of events always force us out of our comfort zones, and this case was proving to be excruciatingly difficult.
“But you know what I think?” I asked my daughter. “I think that we’re going to have such a great time tonight that on the car ride home you’re going to say, ‘That was so much fun! Can we go again next year?’”
I peered over my shoulder to see her reaction.
She looked skeptical.
However, sure enough, just a few hours later during our car ride home, my prediction came true.
“That was so much fun!” my daughter exclaimed. “Can we go again next year?”
So what exactly happened between the two car rides?
One of the best family experiences of our lives—a local organization’s annual Interfaith Dinner and Discussion.
The Golden Rule of Kindness
Upon arriving to the event, we were greeted by rows of individuals, each seated in organized rows on the ground. This is how one enjoys a delicious, traditional Sikh meal⎯seated on the ground.
The spicy scent of chicken, rice, lentils and flatbread filled the air and engulfed our senses.
Cultural music played in the background, transporting us to a different time and place. We felt like we were suddenly on the other side of the world!
Hundreds of men, women, and children of various faiths and nationalities held up their plates as servers walked the rows, sharing their graciously-made food with the community.
We each ate with grateful hearts until we were filled⎯not just with food, but with the feeling of hope and unity that filled that outdoor space.
Small Group Discussion
After finishing the meal, we each grabbed a chair and gathered within small groups of individuals of various faiths to discuss the
following questions:
- What is your name and faith?
- Describe your faith journey.
- What is the biggest misconception about your faith? Share what is true.
- What in your faith means the most to you?
- Explain about the Golden Rule from your faith perspective.
- From your Faith perspective, what actions will you do to “amplify” peace
and harmony in our neighborhoods and world?
Hearing for myself the intent of others to find common ground and live a life filled with kindness only increased the hope and unity I was feeling in that moment.
Those in our group included persons of the following faiths:
- Islam
- Buddhist
- Christian (Apostolic; The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)
- Jainism
- Non-Denominational Unity
The many other small groups surrounding ours were filled with a similar variety of faiths.
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As we listened to others share what they believe, it was wonderful to identify the common denominators of our faiths, including a desire to:
- overcome the natural man
- honor our Creator
- live the Golden Rule
- become a little better today than we were yesterday
All too soon, it was time to go.
I found myself hesitating.
I didn’t want the experience to end.
My eyes scanned the area for a final look at the individuals who surrounded me⎯each unique, each precious, each a child of God.
My family’s walk to the car, in the soft moonlight, was slow and thoughtful.
This incredible multi-cultural experience will forever be etched on our hearts, for we witnessed in a powerful way what it means to live the Golden Rule with kindness.
Moral of the Story
God’s children come packaged in all shapes, sizes, colors, and religions, and He expects us to love them all.
That night, our family was reminded that it is our privilege to do so.
More Kindness Inspiration
Looking for more inspiration on how to life the Golden Rule of kindness? Check out these popular posts:
01
See The Goodness
God interrupted me today.
Sometimes His requests make no sense…
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And A Little Child Shall Lead Them
It was getting late, it was uncomfortably warm outside, and I was tired, but that didn’t stop them…
Kindness Quotes
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
Aesop
“The best portion of a good person’s life is their little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”
William Wordsworth
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.”
Fred Rogers
“Kindness is the essence of Celestial life. Kindness is how a Christ-like person treats others. Kindness should permeate all of our words and actions at work, at school, at church, and especially in our homes.”
Joseph B. Wirthlin
“…we simply cannot and must not have unkind feelings toward anyone. Giving place in our hearts or minds for unkind feelings or thoughts will produce unkind words and actions, whether on social media or in our homes, causing the Spirit of the Lord to withdraw from our hearts.”
Ulysses Soares, Covenant Confidence in Jesus Christ, April 2024 GC
Conclusion
Each day we have opportunities to practice living the Golden Rule of kindness.
We can practice loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
We can practice loving our neighbor at work, at school, at church, and in our homes.
As we do so, we will grow in confidence with God as we prepare to return to His presence.
The best part? We won’t return to His presence alone, but surrounded by those we’ve come to love.
To love God.
To love our neighbor.
Heaven is built one relationship at a time.
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