What Are Your Rules?
Do you have rules that you live by? Perhaps they are phrases that your parents repeated or something a friend or teacher said that really stuck in your mind. October’s theme of mindfulness encourages us to examine these rules. Are they working for you? Do you need to edit or replace a couple? Or perhaps you need inspiration to create new rules. Below are some inspirational sources.
The Seven Virtues
- Chastity
- Temperance
- Charity
- Diligence
- Patience
- Kindness
- Humility
I became aware of these virtues by the children of a deceased friend at a recent funeral. They talked about how their father used the Seven Vrtues as a role model for his life. He encouraged them to do the same. Each child chose a virtue and shared stories of how their father embodied that virtue.
YOUR TASK:
Choose 5-10 rules, either ones your already live by or ones you would like to live by. Write them down or record them on your phone. Look or listen to them everyday, either to set an intension or reflection of the day.
The Seven Habits
- Be proactive.
- Begin with the end in mind.
- Put 1st things 1st.
- Think win/win.
- Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
- Synergize.
- Sharpen the saw.
These habits by Stephen Covey were popular in the 90s. Perhaps you have heard of them or read the book. They were the topic of many inservice agendas.
Listen to other people’s rules on this podcast: Rules for Life
12 Rules for Life
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back.
- Treat yourself like you are someone responsible to helping.
- Make friends with people who want the best for you.
- Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not who someone else is today.
- Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them.
- Set up your house in perfect order before you critize the world.
- Pursue what is meaningful.
- Tell the truth – or, at least don’t lie.
- Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t.
- Be precise in your speech.
- Don’t bother children when they are skateboarding.
- Pet a cat when you encounter on on the street.
These rules were published in 2018 by Jordan Peterson. He is a clinical psychologist, psycology professor and best-selling author.
