Today I was volunteering at a community free clinic that was being held in a Boy Scout lodge on the grounds of a Methodist church. It’s a nice little place, lots of wood and inspirational mementos.
As the community resource advocate, I spend time there each month talking with folks about food assistance, housing, healthcare; all the little things that hold life together but always seem to be in short supply.
On the wall, next to the front door, I noticed a list of life principles. It was attributed to some Native American tribe or other; though honestly, I don’t know if the source was accurate. But the words themselves were powerful enough to stop me. They were simple, timeless, and true enough to make you wonder why we ever complicated life so much.
They went like this:
- Treat the Earth and all that dwell thereon with respect.
- Remain close to the Great Spirit.
- Work together for the benefit of mankind.
- Give assistance and kindness wherever needed.
- Do what you know to be right.
- Dedicate a share of your efforts to the greater good.
- Be truthful and honest at all times.
- Take full responsibility for your actions.
Eight short sentences. That’s it. No legal fine print, no “terms and conditions may apply.” Just eight clear ways to be a decent human being.
And I couldn’t help but think: if everyone lived by these, this would be an amazing world to live in. A world where people didn’t argue over who deserves help, where truth wasn’t negotiable, and kindness wasn’t rationed, leveraged, or sold. A world where taking responsibility wasn’t an act of courage but just something that people did.
Of course, I doubt it’s possible. Humans are complicated. We invent problems out of thin air and justify our selfishness with impressive creativity. But still, wouldn’t it be nice?
Maybe that’s why those words were there, hanging quietly on a lodge wall, waiting for someone to notice. Not necessarily to guilt us, but to remind those young minds that goodness is a part of being human. And it doesn’t require any sort of extravagant training or education. It just requires remembering. Remembering that we belong to each other, that the Earth isn’t ours to exploit, and that truth and kindness are worth more than cleverness or heartless gain.
Eight simple rules. Maybe that’s all civilization really needs; though we keep adding amendments and escape clauses. Still, I like to think that in small places like that clinic, where people show up to help strangers just because it’s the right thing to do, the spirit of those words is still alive.
Wouldn’t it be nice if it spread.
Join us in making the world a better place. You’ll be glad that you did.
Cheers, friends.