The headlines have done it to us again.  We are absorbing the federal political scene play out around expense claims, recusing votes, who’s right in the approach to COVID 19 and a myriad of other issues locally, regionally, provincially and all the way.  Issues seem to roll out in a never ending stream of questionable activity, and we are reminded that we control very little outside of our own behaviour.  The “devil made me do it” just won’t cut it anymore.  People want better….we all want better.

We want better behaviour from those we elect, those we work with/for, those we raise in our homes, those we neighbour with in our community, those we do business with, and those we don’t know, but whose actions affect us nevertheless.

Opportunity will always come our way to opt for the easy route, the route that serves us well, (but not others), and the route that serves us, with some perks for those in our groups.  But just because you CAN, doesn’t mean you SHOULD.

I have spent some time involved with Rotary International and have always admired their guiding principles:

Is it the TRUTH?

Is it FAIR to all concerned?

Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?

Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Take a moment to filter the issues in the headlines today, and consider how different they would be if the people involved had governed their actions through these guiding principles.  Different headlines might be filling our news feeds.  Moving forward, consider your actions, and adopt these principles, we might find a kinder, gentler, more honest world is waiting for us.