The Golden Rule

I didn't grow up particularly religious. I did grow up with spiritual values and morals. My parents did try to instill in me the golden rule of treating others the way I would want to be treated. I've failed with that many times as probably everyone has. But on a day to day basis, I think that principal is wonderful to apply in our dealings with people. My grandmother always said "if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all." As a child, I heard her say that to many people and never really understood it because as a child I thought everyone was nice. As I grew older, I knew just what she meant and why she had said that so much. I hope that I will always remember the things my parents, grandparents and other influential people in my life have taught me. I hope that I apply the good standards and morals that they taught me and treat others kindly. I hope I'm a good example to my children. And while I know I will not always be the person I'd like to be, I hope I learn from my mistakes and do not continue making the same ones over and over. I hear so often that people just want peace. Peace starts in small aspects of our lives. If we can't be kind within our own families, circles of friends and communities, how do we expect to be kind on an earthwide level? Maybe we don't, maybe it's just something to say that tickles the ears~~