Do As You Would Have Others Do
Gentleness is best summed up
in the words of the Golden Rule:
Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you.
Have
you ever been misunderstood? Did you say or do something, and others completely
misinterpreted your intentions? Gentleness is giving others the benefit of the
doubt when they have offended you; perhaps this time it is you who have
misunderstood them. If so, go to the individuals in the spirit of
gentleness and give an opportunity for explanation, just as you want others to
give you a chance to explain yourself before jumping to conclusions. Gentleness
gives opportunity for understanding.
At the end of a hard, tiring day, how do you want to be treated
by others? Gentleness is keeping in mind that others feel the same way,
considering the feelings of others. Use your own experience as a basis for
understanding how you can show consideration and concern to others.
If you make a statement or do something that is incorrect, how would
you want to be corrected? Would you want others to let you continue on the same
path without telling you and thus let you suffer the consequences (or
embarrassment) of your error? Or would you want them to approach you privately
and to respectfully advise you? Gentleness is helpful and approachable.
Visualize yourself in the same circumstances someone else is facing,
and seek to respond as you would want others to respond to you. Use your own
experiences and your own feelings as a guide in empathizing with others: treat
others as you want them to treat you.
It was 1621 when Chief Massasoit of the Wampanoags warmly embraced
the sick and struggling Pilgrims. He provided both aid in their settlement and
protection from dangers. Two years later, however, it was Massasoit who was in
great need. The Pilgrims received word that their friend was dying.
Gathering together their medicines, several from Plymouth Plantation
hastened on the two-day trek through the forest to Massasoit’s side. There,
they provided medical care that spared his life and restored him to full health.
Massasoit had
treated the Pilgrims as he would have wanted to be treated; and indeed he
received as he had given. Circumstances do not always work out “storybook
perfectly”, but it is surprising how often people will follow your lead and
treat you in your need as you treated (or neglected to treat) others.
Practice the Golden Rule – deal gently with those in need around
you.
Care on the Job
Gratefulness is expressing
thankfulness for the benefits you have received from others. Gentleness is
benefiting those who need it – with or without precedent.
Be alert to the needs of those around you on the job. When someone
is tired, consider the last time you were weary, and approach him or her
accordingly. When someone is under pressure, consider how you feel under
pressure and what you could do to lift the load. Maybe, in fact, you are
yourself feeling tired and pressed. Gentleness is using you own experience of
need as a basis for knowing how to care for others.
Character
definitions and information used by permission. Copyright Character Training
Institute.
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