Please do unto others . . . .

Maybe the Golden Rule needs a little marketing----like the current blitz on reminding us to "wash our hands." Maybe I'll start the process. Maybe we need to remind people that the Golden Rule still exists. Sometimes I do wonder, especially in our little community where it reigned supreme for much of my lifetime.

I was saddened to read Shawn Aller's letter in this morning's paper, which indicated yet another reason for Golden Rule indoctrination. Shawn told about an incident downtown Sunday while he was stuck in a snowbank, only to have a car speed dangerously past him rather than stop to help.

I empathize with Shawn as I would anyone in this situation, but I empathize all the more because I know Shawn. He was one of my students who chose to stick with me and my classes for three years, and I've got to say he was one of the nicest, most thoughtful people anyone would ever want to meet. He remains so in his adulthood.

Shawn is into several aspects of graphic art---very talented too, I must say. Samples of his work can be found at (http://www.allergale.com/index.htm). He and his partner own AllerGale Design on Cedar Street in the same building as Misty Mountain Furniture.

Possibly, the local Chamber of Commerce or some civic organization could take up the cause and even use some of Shawn's talents to create some visual "Golden Rule" reminders around Sandpoint so that all who enter our community can be reminded on a daily basis that we're simpletons in Sandpoint: we like to be nice people here, and we expect such behavior in return.

Granted, rudeness is not limited to the new breed who have entered Sandpoint. We experience it wherever we travel, but one of the great natural resources that we tout and practice here all revolves around the Golden Rule.

So, to read yet another example about a person who's well-honed at treating others with respect is disheartening. I hear similar stories far too often these days, and I'm not being facetious when I suggest the need for those visual reminders along with a primer on basic polite behavior, which ought to be handed out with every single real estate transaction that occurs in this area.

There's not much we can do to indoctrinate the huge wave who bought their piece of Heaven here over the last two or three years, but we could be proactive with all new residents in the future. I remember writing a piece for The River Journal along these same lines about three years ago. Lots of folks expressed their gratitude for that article.

Maybe it's time for a reprint to go along with the primer/visual reminders. Just a few things to remember, but--oh---the power and personal fulfillment they can reap when practiced on a regular basis.


Basic rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Followed by: this is your brain on being polite, decent and genuine. This is how your brain acts. Your brain makes your body react in positive rather than negative ways with other human beings.

• Your brain makes you say thank you when someone has extended themselves in your behalf.
• Your brain does not treat genuinely friendly people like they've got some disease.
• Your brain doesn't use people for what you can get out of them and then ignore them when their services are no longer benefitting you.
• Your brain reciprocates pleasant behavior in the grocery stores, along the sidewalks and even along the walking paths with such simple words as "Hi," "How are you doing?" "Can I help you in any way?""Have a nice day." "Hope you're doing well."
• Your brain does not ignore those in need because your brain does acknowledge that you will be late for your morning latte but it also computes that your gesture of goodwill along your hurried way will last a whole lot longer, positively affecting more than just yourself than your caffeine high will ever do.
• Your brain knows how others feel when you feel and act superior to them.
• Your brain knows why you found this community so appealing, and your brain would like to have this community find you appealing. So, let your brain lean in the direction of the Golden Rule.
• Your brain knows that when all is said and done, it's not your wealth nor great achievements nor your importance that will matter; instead, it's your treatment of other human beings, animals and the earth that leave your legacy.

Yup, your brain focusing on the simple gestures of common decency can take you to great heights within the human community. And, what a great world we could have if a few more people could just remember that principle!