The Golden Rule Marble

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As I was cleaning out a desk drawer recently, I rediscovered an inch thick, clear plastic box holding a Golden Rule Marble. Seeing the milky red orb with its narrow bronze metallic band encircling it my memory connected with the delightful gentleman who gave it to me. Raymond Dault, the chairman of Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis’ Department of Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management in 1986, presented all of his students each semester with this marble. He “urged his students to live and serve the public by the Golden Rule.”
Jesse Shwayder, creator of the said marble and founder of Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co. (Samsonite Corporation), based his company on the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (NLT) The marble’s band has the verse inscribed on it.
Dault also used his own designated “four-letter words” – food, work, give, love and care – to teach his students to focus on making their RHIM career a noble and respected profession.
So, how’s it going for you living by the Golden Rule? Do you want to be spoken to with grace-filled words? Speak them yourself to others. Do you want to be treated with respect and dignity? Model those character traits daily. Are you kind or are you harsh? Are you self-seeking or seeking the best for and in others?
Dault encouraged his students to serve food with care and joy, work diligently, give generously of your time, talent and treasure, love unconditionally, and care exponentially. I confess I can’t check that list off every day but seeing that marble again is a great reminder I have work to do.
And when we live the Golden Rule, and exercise Professor Dault’s four-letter words, we’re bound to live with more joy.
 
With joy,
Susan