The only 5 rules I'll make for my kids
Let me preface by saying that I am not a parent, nor do I have specific plans in the works to become one. In my drive-by philosophizing that I do frequently, I often come to the basic question: what makes a good person? In the varied scenarios that we come upon in each day of our lives, it can be easy to lose sight of what is important. I feel that having a simple philosophy to live by helps keep things in balance.
1) Be honest.
Perhaps if all other rules are forgotten, living a life of honestly might just be enough to summon all the others.
Deception is a learned shortcut in getting what you want and a debt that always gets paid off later in some way or another. Staying honest is freeing and gets easier with practice. So keep your word: to yourself, to your friends, and to your enemies.
Being honest with others starts in being honest with yourself. It is easy to suppress feelings, store anger, and ignore conflict. This leads to the creation of delusions which, like a family pet, grow over time and require continuous feeding.
2) Be compassionate and respectful.
As social creatures, we have an innate tendency to form exclusive groups and reject those that are different. Really try whenever you put yourself in someone else's shoes. Their brain may function differently, their history may be different, and their desires may be different from yours. As long as they are holding to these five rules as you are, respect their thoughts and feelings no matter what you think of them.
Be patient with others, even when they aren't being patient with you. Patience helps you slow your gut reaction and think rationally.
Respect those older than you even when their advice is indirect. That being said, don't let anyone tell you something is too difficult or impossible. Respect those younger than you even though they may seem silly at times. Sometimes silliness is the catalysis for innovation. It's easy to forget that a naive spirit is sometimes what's needed to muster the courage to start something. Respect yourself even when others don't. This one sounds easy but oftentimes isn't.
3) Better yourself.
Always look for ways to better yourself: whatever that personal definition may mean. Create, explore, or help someone. Bettering yourself may mean making big impacts in the world, or it might mean something much, much simpler. Try not to measure the magnitude of your efforts, but be sure to put yourself out there.
If this results in having something to share with others, don't allow yourself to wait until everything is perfect. Ship.
4) Be curious.
When confronted with the unknown, the easiest reaction is fear. This is biology at work. In today's American world, however, the daily threats to life and limb are almost nonexistent. Knowing that fear is a natural reaction, turn your perspective towards wonder instead.
Don't assume the status quo holds the correct perspective. Challenge what you are taught when it seems like the facts aren't there. A lot of times the juicy bits of life are hid behind walls of "can't" and "shouldn't." Be skeptical of the mob.
Accept other lifestyles. Never take from someone else unless they are doing harm to others. It's rare when getting what you want requires someone else to not get what they want.
5) Laugh and love.
Laughter and love are the core things that make life worth living.
Don't be afraid to laugh even if you're the only one. If you go out looking to laugh, you'll usually find a reason. Also, being a funny person is hard but it helps cultivate a peaceful world-view. This starts by not taking yourself too seriously.
Allow yourself to love others and make it possible for others to love you. Love activates the most fundamental happiness centers in our species', social-oriented minds. This isn't a ploy to get you to be nice to others; this is the result of biological evolution.
