SOME years ago, I sat with friends and we discussed what it meant to be old and how we would know when we were old.

The definition offered by one friend was “you’ll start to sound like your dad”.

For me “old age” arrived sooner than I expected.

Today I can admit that I learned a lot from my dad. A couple of good examples are: first, most people are helpful if you are polite, and second, if you want to be treated well, treat others well.

In a world where we watch Rogue Traders and Rip Off Britain, it is easy to forget that we meet many good, helpful people every day.

It is when I say these things out loud that it hits me – I sound just like my dad!

This is not a new idea. Jesus taught it this way: “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31 (NASB).

We call this the ‘Golden Rule’, and it can help to make the world a better place if we live by it.