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UHF · 07-19-2007, 09:46 AM

Hello again,

Some more explanation about my rules of life. Don't read the word 'rules' as meaning regulations, they are guidances and I really do think they are helpful to everyone's lives.

None of these are contradictory to one another. Also I should point out that words such as risk and difficult are relative to different situations and people. One person's risk is another's chat to a stranger. I've tried to keep the 'rules' terse and not long-winded. I want them to be instantly understandable and interpretable as I find many people's ideas somewhat wishy-washy: 'Be nice to people', 'Be profoundly joyful...' etc. I don't want simply ideals.

1. Freedom is the most important thing in life.

I can't think of anything better than choice. Some people would say love, happiness, joy etc. I feel that freedom encompasses all of it. There are many different types of freedom however and all are compromises.

2. Never make assumptions.

A great rule of life and a common one. An ideal perhaps in some sense. Some would say 'well you have to assume some things, like gravity', yes but Einstein didn't. It isn't possible to totally live to this rule, but if it encourages questioning of assumptions, then it's done it's job. I think 'Question assumptions' is better.

3. Look for something and you'll find it.

It probably exists, other people are probably looking for it too. I think many people would see this as intention manifestation. It might be hard work finding it. Perhaps you'll end up creating it yourself.

4. You'll end up regretting the things that you don't do, not the things you do.

When you look back on your life, I guarantee that the number of times you say 'I wish I had...' will outweigh the number of times you say 'I wish I hadn't...'. This will certainly become the case, the older you get.

5. Complacency is costly.

Complacency as in taking things and people for granted. Complacency as in not getting your car serviced. Complacency as in ignoring or agreeing with what you feel is wrong. Complacency as in living to regret the things in life you didn't do. Complacency as in not questioning assumptions.

6. Everything is a compromise.

Think of a situation where there is absolutely no kind of compromise. If you think you've found one, then consider it more widely. Compromises can be very subtle. Think of knock-on effects. A phrase I came up with once is 'There is no progress without destruction' (destruction isn't always bad either).

7. When in doubt, do nothing.

A lot of people don't understand what I meant by this. But what else is a better course of action? By nothing I don't mean ignore or forget it. There is often a better, different or more informed choice. It's basically about allowing time and further consideration: 'Look before you leap' is a similar thing. It doesn't disclude trusting intuition. Get more information.

8. A life without risk is a life not worth living.

Risk is a relative concept and not necessarily pertaining to danger. Risk can be talking to someone you like, giving up a job, publishing your own ideas about life. This is quite similar to 'Complacency is costly' thinking about it. You must define what is risk for yourself.

9. The difficult things in life are the things worth doing.

I wondered if this was like the previous, but I think the message is different. The fact you are reading (or hearing) this now is because men and women over the last few hundred years have tried and failed and succeeded in doing what was difficult. The easy things in life are what you're already doing without complaint or hesitation. Difficult can be risky, but a life without risk... In business, the market always rewards the most risky ventures that succeed.

10. Life is partly what happens to you, but mostly how you react to it.

You really can't control everything that happens to you in your life. It's not written anywhere that life must be fair. You can control your perception and actions within it. 'It's your life' is the shorter message. Perhaps it's better phrased as 'Life is partly what your given, but mostly what you do with it. Think of wheelchair athletes and Helen Keller. This man comes from the city where I currently live, and sums up the rule perfectly.

07-19-2007, 09:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
UHF Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 120	Hello again, Some more explanation about my rules of life. Don't read the word 'rules' as meaning regulations, they are guidances and I really do think they are helpful to everyone's lives. None of these are contradictory to one another. Also I should point out that words such as risk and difficult are relative to different situations and people. One person's risk is another's chat to a stranger. I've tried to keep the 'rules' terse and not long-winded. I want them to be instantly understandable and interpretable as I find many people's ideas somewhat wishy-washy: 'Be nice to people', 'Be profoundly joyful...' etc. I don't want simply ideals. 1. Freedom is the most important thing in life. I can't think of anything better than choice. Some people would say love, happiness, joy etc. I feel that freedom encompasses all of it. There are many different types of freedom however and all are compromises. 2. Never make assumptions. A great rule of life and a common one. An ideal perhaps in some sense. Some would say 'well you have to assume some things, like gravity', yes but Einstein didn't. It isn't possible to totally live to this rule, but if it encourages questioning of assumptions, then it's done it's job. I think 'Question assumptions' is better. 3. Look for something and you'll find it. It probably exists, other people are probably looking for it too. I think many people would see this as intention manifestation. It might be hard work finding it. Perhaps you'll end up creating it yourself. 4. You'll end up regretting the things that you don't do, not the things you do. When you look back on your life, I guarantee that the number of times you say 'I wish I had...' will outweigh the number of times you say 'I wish I hadn't...'. This will certainly become the case, the older you get. 5. Complacency is costly. Complacency as in taking things and people for granted. Complacency as in not getting your car serviced. Complacency as in ignoring or agreeing with what you feel is wrong. Complacency as in living to regret the things in life you didn't do. Complacency as in not questioning assumptions. 6. Everything is a compromise. Think of a situation where there is absolutely no kind of compromise. If you think you've found one, then consider it more widely. Compromises can be very subtle. Think of knock-on effects. A phrase I came up with once is 'There is no progress without destruction' (destruction isn't always bad either). 7. When in doubt, do nothing. A lot of people don't understand what I meant by this. But what else is a better course of action? By nothing I don't mean ignore or forget it. There is often a better, different or more informed choice. It's basically about allowing time and further consideration: 'Look before you leap' is a similar thing. It doesn't disclude trusting intuition. Get more information. 8. A life without risk is a life not worth living. Risk is a relative concept and not necessarily pertaining to danger. Risk can be talking to someone you like, giving up a job, publishing your own ideas about life. This is quite similar to 'Complacency is costly' thinking about it. You must define what is risk for yourself. 9. The difficult things in life are the things worth doing. I wondered if this was like the previous, but I think the message is different. The fact you are reading (or hearing) this now is because men and women over the last few hundred years have tried and failed and succeeded in doing what was difficult. The easy things in life are what you're already doing without complaint or hesitation. Difficult can be risky, but a life without risk... In business, the market always rewards the most risky ventures that succeed. 10. Life is partly what happens to you, but mostly how you react to it. You really can't control everything that happens to you in your life. It's not written anywhere that life must be fair. You can control your perception and actions within it. 'It's your life' is the shorter message. Perhaps it's better phrased as 'Life is partly what your given, but mostly what you do with it. Think of wheelchair athletes and Helen Keller. This man comes from the city where I currently live, and sums up the rule perfectly.