How Do You Treat Others?

Once upon a time, many years ago, a child was born in a faraway land. Even though the birth of the child had been predicted for many years, no one was expecting His birth. His entry into the world was not under the best of circumstances, because He was born while His parents were on a trip. His first night was spent in a stable with the animals because all the hotels were filled to capacity. Many people, both locally and around the world, were excited about His birth but, unfortunately, others were not, and sought to kill Him. It was serious enough that His parents had to take Him to another country to avoid His death. Even after they were able to return, some still were intent on killing Him. 

As a man, He presented ideas and teachings that have influenced all of us even today. Among other important teachings, He told us we should treat each other as we would want to be treated ourselves. For the times in which He lived, that seemed like a ridiculous suggestion, because it was every man for himself. Slowly, some began to see the wisdom in the teaching and began to look out for each other, but more were only concerned with themselves. It seems like very little has changed today! In this column in the past, we have talked about the mentality of entitlement and how it can destroy us all.¹ We must realize that we are here on earth for a relatively short time (the older I get the more I realize how short the time truly is!) and most of us would like to be remembered kindly.² The most important way to accomplish something that will live beyond our own lives is to do something for others, as author and attorney Daniel R. Castro said, “The impact we have on the lives of others is our only true legacy. This is the only thing that truly lasts when we are gone.”

To treat others as we would want to be treated is not that hard, really. It just takes changing one’s attitude about what is important. Obviously, we in health care should always be concerned about the welfare of our patients, and most are very good at that; but this concept extends further. How do you respond when a patient calls for what seems like the millionth time asking the same question about a wound or medication? How do you respond when a patient is convinced something is terribly wrong with the wound even though you know there is nothing wrong? Do you treat these people with the courtesy and interest you yourself would want to be shown if you were in their situation? How often is it seemingly easier to make light of their concerns and then laugh about how dumb they were after they have left? Is that how you would want to be treated or want your family to be treated?

As we go into the holiday season celebrating the birth of Jesus, who told us to treat one another as we would want to be treated, I hope you will take the time to respond to the needs of those you meet along your journey each day. Treat everyone as you would want to be treated.