This blog's title comes from an email R&D received early in Nov 08. Twice, actually. The author sent it twice within a relatively short period of time. Perhaps our spam trapping system confused them.
I receive emails all the time and many of them are from readers of this and my other blogs. I've noted before that people seem to prefer emailing me than either directly commenting or calling me. I prefer to be called or Skyped.
This email, I'll admit, became an office curiosity. They were writing about something on our Principles page, specifically our First Principle: Do unto others as if they were you.
In other words, cut out the middle man. Treat others the way you treat yourself. People do this anyway. All we do is suggest you become aware of it.
I'm including the text of their email as they wrote it, fonts, etc., and all. I'm removing their contact information (name, address, profession, title, phone number, cell number) because ... well ... because of our First Principle. And several that follow, as well.
Feel free to comment or email me your thoughts. We really did find this email intriguing.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is self centered and arrogant.Do unto others as if they were you.
In other words, cut out the middle man. Treat others the way you treat yourself. People do this anyway. All we do is suggest you become aware of it.
You need to treat others as they would have you treat them.
You do not get to make the decision for them as to how they would like to be treated, and they might not wish your treatment of yourself on a worst enemy.
(here there was contact information)
Please do not take my word for anything.
There are only those who seek to understand and those who wish
to hide the evidence to further their own agenda.
The act of searching for a truth is quite often truth itself.
And do let me know your thoughts...even if they're much in keeping with those shared here. Knowing one is on a radar is so much more exciting than simply wondering what the periodic humming is all about...
Please contact NextStage for information regarding presentations and trainings on how to avoid sending out emails such as this one, controlling your vitriol, understanding yourself, your relationship to others and related topics.
Sign up for the NextStage Irregular, our very irregular, definitely frequency-wise and probably topic-wise newsletter.
Phew! I read that headline and the first sentence and assumed another of my emails was being published.
I believe the complaint is you are treating people the way you are willing to/desire to be treated instead of considering how they would like to be treated. You are only considering your preferences and not theirs. Maybe you don't like to have the door held open for you because you perceive it as an indication of weakness, but some people appreciate the gesture as respectful. Maybe you like to be called honey, sweatheart, or champ by common acquaintances, but others may find those terms demeaning. Maybe you are a masochistic SOB, but please don't unleash the horse whip and entertain uninvited sadism to stand fast with your principles (we'll call this the 'worst enemy' proviso).
That's my best devil's advocate position for the information preceding the contact info. The subsequent information is perhaps the author's own fortune cookie wisdom he shares with others. Perhaps after he felt the need to identifying his own mantras after tearing down your principles. Something to add to your principles when you delete the challenged lines. The signature calling card of a schlock jock.
I'm pretty sure that wasn't my email.
Posted by: Windkiller | December 3, 2008 1:26 PM | Permalink to Comment