Practising the Golden Rule

By Letter to the Editor on August 5, 2020.

I wish to say I appreciate the article by Greg Bobinec, “Moms come together for photo to show lives lost to opioid crisis.” The photo is one of many taken across Canada for Moms Stop the Harm.

I think the quotations of one mom reveal that experts in mental-health addictions are gaining ground. As well, attitudes are changing in law enforcement. But in Lethbridge, the agency entrusted to help addicts had to be closed.

I was particularly interested that one mom feels changed, and she wants to promote people “to be more compassionate and understanding.”

Thank you for your words that tie into a book I am studying: “Twelve Steps to a Compassionate Life” by Karen Armstrong. Please visit the website charterforcompassion.org where you can read the charter drafted by thousands of people worldwide and submitted to the Council of Conscience to write the final draft in 2009. Six faith traditions were involved in writing it.

In 2008 Karen Armstrong was awarded a major prize from TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) for her brilliant ideas. From the earliest times, philosophers and prophets of every faith have advocated practising the Golden Rule. (Always treat others the way you would wish to be treated yourself.) In her intelligent, methodical book, Karen has promoted that all of us should apply the Golden Rule respecting all individuals everywhere every day.

As I think about progress made and small steps forward, I admire the goals of Alberta Moms Stop the Harm.

Shirley Almas

Lethbridge