Reverse golden rule

Do unto yourself as you would do unto others.

Does this make sense? Let me explain.

I’m a normal, nice person. I try to get along with people and give others the benefit of the doubt. When someone does or says something silly or out of place, I might think about it for a few minutes and even laugh about it to myself. But then I let it go, usually very quickly. I don’t obsess about it or let it live in my head forever. Why would I do that? I like people and assume that most people mean well and are good at heart. Everyone has weird days and I have no desire to rehash every single oddity that others present to me.

On the other hand, if I do something stupid, no matter how small, I let it live in my head way too long. Did I say “good morning” to the cashier even though it was 3 in the afternoon? OMG, so dumb! I might think about it for a day or two…weeks. And those are the just the little things. The dumber it is, the longer it lives, bouncing inside my head like a black ping-pong ball.

So why don’t I give myself the same treatment that I give to others? Why is it so hard for me to give me a break?

I thought about this for a long time and eventually realized that my answer was the Reverse Golden Rule. I need to start treating myself the same way I treat other people.

Forgive and forget.