Fortunately, as always, the sun begins its gradual return at the winter solstice (21 December). History is replete with examples of cultures that have celebrated the beginning of the sun’s return by ceremonies giving thanks for the bounties afforded them, to pay penance for past mistakes, and express hope for the future, often accompanied by personal resolutions for reform.
Over time, these behaviors have given birth to various rituals, religions, or philosophies that offer guidance for living, and promises to lead “a good life.” Among these many activities, three threads have stood the test of time.
DO UNTO OTHERS
The first is The Golden Rule: “Treat others the way you would have them treat you.” This rule asks a person to treat all people, not just members of their own group, with consideration. The Golden Rule asks us to transcend differences based on material possessions, physical appearance, or preconceived notions. Some scholars consider The Golden Rule to be the basis for the modern concept of human rights.
The Golden Rule can be found, in one form or another, in practically every religious or philosophical text. Matthew 7:12 states: “In everything, therefore, do to others as you would have them do to you, for this is the law and the Prophets”. Judaism’s Torah (Leviticus 19:18 among other places) establishes the principle of “loving thy neighbor;” Tobias (3rd Century BC) offers “Never do to anyone else anything that you would not want someone to do to you.” Islam (the Hadieth) stresses, “None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbor what he loves for himself.” Confucius states, “Do not do to others what you do not wish for yourself.” The Seneca offers, “Treat your inferior as you would wish your superior to treat you.” The Golden Rule is axiomatic to civil behavior and maintaining civic order.
GENEROSITY
The second thread is altruism: An unselfish concern for the welfare of others. Altruistic acts are those taken for the good of the actions themselves, not for achieving self-worth or reward, or out of a sense of duty or loyalty to an individual or a cause. One displays altruism when one acts to promote someone else’s welfare, even at a risk or cost to themselves.
Altruistic acts can be simple and straight forward, or costly and high risk. For example, it is altruistic to help or provide assistance to those who are homeless, or to forego personal benefits to avoid causing harm to others with the understanding (and expectation) that the recipients can have no influence on your well-being, nor can you gain in other ways from your actions. By the same token, rescuing a stranger from a burning building or raging floodwaters, with significant risk to your own life, is altruism.
Altruism is a traditional virtue in many cultures, and a core aspect of various religious traditions such as Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and many others, and is closely related to the more common phrasing that: “To whom much is given, much is expected.”
A PERFECT WORLD
The third thread is idealism: Idealism is a rather complicated philosophical regime but, in simple terms it is based on a belief that ideas, rather than physical objects or observations, can shape the physical world. Idealism does not require nor is it frustrated by the fact that we do not live in a perfect world. But idealism does ask us to rise above the material aspects of our world and seek a higher level of existence for all based on principles, ethics, and moral values.
Idealism underpinned the founding of our country in terms of freedom of religion, the ability to govern ourselves, and the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Martin Luther King preached the ideals of racial equality and harmony, even in the face of harsh realities.
Idealism supplements, complements, and incorporates altruism and the Golden Rule, but it’s often difficult to bridge the divide between idealism and realism. The rub is that reality pressures us to accept what we cannot change, but idealism assigns us a responsibility to change what we cannot accept. That’s expressed very well in a plaque one of my many bosses (Admiral Ron Kurth) had on his desk that read: When in peril, grab an oar. And pray toward heaven. But row toward shore.
The Golden Rule, altruism and idealism are three threads that weave together to form the tapestries of our cultures and even ourselves personally. The stronger the thread, the stronger the culture, or the individual. Much like what the ancients did with their various ceremonies and rituals, we can codify our commitment to live a good life by resolving to follow the Golden Rule, be idealistic in our aspirations, and altruistic in our hearts. That’s what resolutions are all about.
Gina and I offer our best wishes to you and yours for a wonderful holiday season and New Year, and that your resolutions will be worthy of your talents. And may you lead a good life throughout your years.
Go For It!