The Golden Rule.

Jane loved to listen to stories about her co-workers and she so loved talking about people and every thing around her, nothing gave her greater pleasure than gossip. She talked about people's issues, private affairs, people's marriages and families, and everything that sounded sweet to her ears as long as it wasn't about her.
She would hear a story and broadcast it, may be add a little fake detail to spice it up, thus increasing the sweetness of the gist.

What baffled me was the fact that she never bothered to authenticate her stories, i.e if those things she said about people were actually true. She had her clique of friends, girls who loved to listen to lies. As long as they kept each other entertained with the latest gist, everything was fine with then. In their minds, they were the most current and informed people in their office.

The infuriating thing was that they never had great gist about people, all their stories were negative and often ridiculous. If they attended a colleague or friend's wedding, on returning, they'll begin to scrutinize the newlyweds or their in-laws. For instance, you'll hear stuff like '' I didn't even know his wife was so ugly''  ''It seems her husband is poor and from a wretched home'' or '' did you see the way her mother in-law looked at her, it seems she never approved of the marriage''.

If they visited a colleague to welcome a new baby, the gist went like this, '' did you see how skinny and hungry the baby looked? seems her husband isn't bringing home enough money, '' or  '' seems the baby mama isn't happy in her marriage, by the way, I never knew her husband was that old!''

If they visited an unmarried female friend, the gossip would go like this; '' I know this house was furnished by Tony, it seems she and John are no longer together, in fact she has finished using him!, By the way, I saw her at Mathew's place yesterday''
Back in the office, the stories were always about Mr A, having an affair with miss/Mrs B an so on. I wondered if it never occurred to them how often they ruined friendships and relationships,because most of the things you say about people often gets back to them somehow.

One faithful day, Jane walked up to me in tears, I was so concerned and curious to know what had befallen  her. She said to me,
''Chi, you can't imagine what my closest friend (her gossip mate) did to me''
I was all ears! ''yes?'' I queried for a response.

''She went around telling people about me, saying all sort of stuff that I never said or did, I never even had an affair with....bla, bla, bla''
Wheeew!

I didn't know whether to laugh or not. Did I just see Jane shed tears over mere gossip? The chief gossip herself, being stabbed with gossip! Inside me I wondered, had she never for once thought about what it felt like to be talked about, how it feels when people spread wrong stories about you. Trust me, I'v been a victim so much that I already have immunity to gossip... Lol.
I didn't know what to say to Jane, so I just consoled her and pleaded with her not to pick a fight... well,  she did!
As I thought about it all, I pondered about how the world be a better place if we all lived by the golden rule;  ''Do unto others as you'll have them do to you''  (Luke 6:31)
It's not nice to say stuff about people, stuff you wouldn't like people to say about you, even if they were true. Also, remember that the things you say about people almost always gets back to them.

by Chioma.