A few weeks ago, when we were traveling with friends, a complete stranger gave us the gift of two extra nights in a hotel at his expense. When we emailed our thanks, he simply said, “It’s the golden rule.”
I am still amazed. He was treating us the way he would like to be treated if he were nearing the end of his vacation. There was no me-first in his gift. He had nothing to gain. In fact, our paths probably never will cross again. He gave the gift gratis—no strings attached. And the best part of the gift is that now I want to follow his example.
“[Today] treat people the way you want them to treat you.” Matthew 7:12
"How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it. . . . You would break out of this tiny and tawdry theater in which your own little plot is always being played, and you would find yourself under a freer sky, in a street full of splendid strangers." G. K. Chesterton