Remember the Golden Rule

To the editor:

The other evening, I witnessed something that gave me pause and, in many ways, reminded me of the importance of humility, respect, dialogue, and discernment– qualities that none of us are born with but must continually practice and refine. I know I am still working on them myself.

From a young age, we teach our children the importance of using “magic words” — please, thank you, excuse me. Yet, if you listen to the way many people interact today, especially in everyday settings like ordering food, you’ll find that courtesy is becoming increasingly rare. “Minnesota nice” has long meant something important, but in an age dominated by social media, outrage is often amplified. Many feel it gives them license to insult, deride, or dismiss others. For those of us who were taught, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” this is disheartening.

When civil discourse breaks down — particularly in spaces where we gather to serve a shared purpose, whether it be caring for our lakes, stewarding taxpayer dollars, or pursuing community betterment –and we resort instead to ad hominem attacks simply because we dislike someone’s delivery or disagree with their perspective, we must ask ourselves: what have we lost?

If we stop listening to questions — whether from a spouse, a child, a neighbor, a parishioner, or a fellow citizen–how can we learn? How can we build consensus, work together, and solve problems that affect us all?

Would our grandparents be proud of the way we conduct ourselves? Are we setting an example worthy of our youth? Are we encouraging those who may be considering stepping forward to serve, or are we discouraging them?

Let us remember the Golden Rule: to treat others as we would like to be treated. We are capable of better, and our community deserves better.

With respect and hope,

Gregg Paulson

Fairmont