Although this book is intended to be entertaining, I also wrote it with several objectives in mind. I am very frustrated by events throughout the world, but rather than letting that overwhelm me, I am trying to get people to work together for the common good of all humanity and Mother Nature as well.

We need to begin by truly following the Golden Rule of treating others the way you would like to be treated yourself. I believe that following the Golden Rule is laying the groundwork for everyone in the world to learn to live together in peace. However, I know that people looking at the “big picture” of our tumultuous world can get very discouraged. Instead of just giving up on humanity, people should look at following the Golden Rule as one small step for a person, one giant leap for humanity.

Another important aspect of the Golden Rule is to listen to others as well. Take the time to actually listen, and give that person the opportunity to express themselves. We need to do more honest debating in today’s world, and less shutting out the voice of the opposition. Following the Golden Rule in this regard doesn’t mean you have to agree with your opponent, just allow them to express their point of view. You can’t expect someone to listen to you if you if you won’t listen to them. As Max Gropius said, “The human mind is like an umbrella. It functions best when open.”   

And as French philosopher Joseph Joubert said, “It is better to debate a question without settling it than to settle a question without debating it.” And if your ideas and opinion cannot stand up to scrutiny from the other side, then it is time to change your way of thinking on that subject. Truly having an open mind means that you are willing to examine your beliefs from all sides.

Other important principles to live by are stated in the American Constitution and its Amendments, among them freedom of religion, freedom of the press, due process, and the right to keep and bear arms. All of the principles set forth in our Declaration of Independence and Constitution  created an environment that enticed people throughout the world to look up to America, and in many cases, to actually come to America to begin a new life.

Unfortunately, America has not always upheld these principles as well as it should have. There are far too many examples of this, but instead of living in the past, we should all move forward by taking that one small step of truly living by the Golden Rule. Think of it as a building block for the future. Each individual block, when put together with others, will help build a strong foundation for an America that lives up to its founding principles and leads by example.

And so, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said back in 1968 “Let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.” And, I will add, an opportunity to make the world a better place for everyone. It will be a long and arduous road, but I believe that we can do it.