Rule Number One...

[drwex]

It's been a while since I did one of these and putting a comment in someone else's LJ reminded me that I'm interested in the rules people are using to govern their lives at this point.

I have a hard time choosing between three so I'll give you all three and you can put as many or as few as you like:

Rule Number One is _______________________________________

a. Never wake a sleeping baby.
b. No surprises.
c. Be careful what you wish for; you might get it.

Comments

[dpolicar]

Think first, or not at all.

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

"Do not talk about Fight Club."

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

Okay, knee-jerk joking aside, I govern my life with this:

"Rule Number One is the future is more important than the present or past."

[sweetmmeblue.livejournal.com]

In all the work I've done on mindfulness and meditation I've found that the focus is on the now. All you really ever have is now and the future may not happen so enjoy this moment in time, this experience and live each moment fully. I agree with the past being the least important of the three but I'm wondering, functionally, what does it mean to you to live with the future being more important than the present?

[feste-sylvain.livejournal.com]

It means, among other things, that I'll suffer thru unpleasant chores in the present because said chores will bring about a better future.

Those who can meditate in the now reduce the chore itself to a set of zen movements, and find pleasure (or satori) in them. I have not achieved that state.

[sweetmmeblue.livejournal.com]

The book I used to help me get to this place (and I'm only there some of the time) is called "Peace is Every Step."

[ariesd.livejournal.com]

Know which bed you want to sleep in at the end of the day.

[jacflash.livejournal.com]

a. Don't lose money. (Investing thing -- comes from a Warren Buffett quote.)
b. Nothing is permanent, and very little is real.
c. Do not assume that I can rely on anyone but myself over the long term. (And related to this one, "Take responsibility for my own needs, and make sure I am providing adequately for them now and in the future.")

[ricevermicelli.livejournal.com]

Rule Number One is no burning the house down.

[gentlescholar.livejournal.com]

Do more good than harm.

[awfief.livejournal.com]

The ones I'm torn between:

1) If you don't have the money in the bank, you can't afford it, and thus can't buy it. Loans are acceptable for amounts over $5,000 or so, and for things like cars and houses, NOT vacations. If credit cards are to be used, they are paid off within 6 months of purchase, usually paid off in 1-2 months.

2) Assume the other person means well, and try to get into their shoes THAT way. (ie, don't get into their shoes saying "they're saying that because it makes them feel better." Assume they really ARE concerned about you).
2a) Corollary: When people have demonstrated that rule #2 doesn't apply to them, stay away. Know whom to stay away from.

3) People like me. Remember that.

4) Don't watch Holocaust movies.

[gamehawk.livejournal.com]

"Don't shoot Daddy."

That was Rule Number One when he got our son an archery set. To this day (a couple years later), we can say "N, what's Rule Number One?" and he'll promptly recite it. (Even when we've given him a different list of rules we're asking him to remember.)

[hlmt.livejournal.com]

*lol*

[hlmt.livejournal.com]

This one kinda perplexed me, but I guess my Rule Number One is still "Take care of responsibilities first, then enjoy yourself." Silly Swiss anal retentive me...

[taura-g.livejournal.com]

Rule Number One remember to get at least some sleep.

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

My husband claims that his Rule #1 is "Don't annoy the Cory," but his behavior gives the lie to this rule.

I think my own #1 rule varies depending on the situation. What I need to keep in mind for social situations is different than what I need to keep in mind when I'm alone, and rules for leisure differ from those for work.

I guess my rules for many situations could be summed up as:

1. Try to do the right thing.
2. Don't try so hard that you make yourself crazy.

It took a buncha years to make it clear that #2 was necessary (something that people from more relaxed backgrounds know automatically).

[dr-tectonic.livejournal.com]

Context matters.

(Drive-by commenting from dpolicar's friends page. Hi!)

[tisana.livejournal.com]

Don't ask unless you actually want the answer.

[emerlion.livejournal.com]

Never get involved in a land war in Asia.