Day 3: I promise to be fair to those who are not fair to me.
It’s easy to be fair to those who treat me well. In fact, I don’t even think about it when that’s the case. But how about those who don’t treat me so fairly? What about those who are always looking to do me some injustice? It’s hard to look at them objectively, even for me, because if they don’t give me that respect then why should I give it to them?
I’m generally a fair person, or I like to think of myself that way, so it hurts me when others aren’t fair to me. But I can’t let those hurt feelings turn me into a person just like them because it’s a slippery slope. It’s easy to go from someone who gives everyone the benefit of the doubt, who treasures difference, to someone who lets negativity change his worldview.
“Do unto others…” That’s the golden rule, right? Well, I would like to amend it to say “Do unto others, even when they don’t do unto you.” Perhaps it’s the difficulty of this kind of venture that appeals to me in the first place. It’s like doing what’s right even when no one’s watching, or especially when no one’s watching. Because I want to be able to look myself in the eye in the morning.
I’d like to think that breeding a culture of fairness might change the minds of those who are looking for every advantage over you, whether it’s fair or not. I’d like to think that being fair in everything would be a trait that others would want to espouse when they see it in me. But I’m realistic. I can change what I can change, and that’s the way I approach those who approach me differently.
That is my promise.
Sam
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