Even if the scriptures that reference doing unto others is not the foundation, most people have been taught the Golden Rule.

Do unto (treat) others as you would have them do unto (treat) you.

I know it is a constant message I teach my children and try to live myself.

I heard someone in a meeting at work once say that you shouldn’t treat others as you would want them to treat you. They tied it to doing things for that person that you would want someone to do for you if you were in the same situation. They went on to say that people want different things and that we should ask them what they want us to do because us doing what we would want done to/for us could be different than what they want.

Initially, I agreed with that sentiment. I still agree, but as I have pondered this adage more recently, it sticks out to me that the basis of this scripture is not only about doing things. It is about the spirit in which those things are done.

It is about operating in love.

True love that is less about emotion and more about unselfishly caring for another person the way you would want someone to care for you, even those who have mistreated you.

Especially those who have mistreated you…

Lead with love.

This is not easy, but it is necessary.