The Hardest Simple Rules to Live By

I can't remember where, when or how I learnt this...but I know it was passed down to me by a very wise lady. She said that life should not be too complicated...that the easiest thing to abide by are 3 Simple Rules...She is right, you know...the rules are simple.

But to live up to them can be very,very,very hard.

I begin each year, in each new class, with them; telling the kids in school that I would expect them to remember these 3 things...instead of the dos and don'ts. My own three children abide by them too.

3 Simple Rules
1. Look after yourself
2. Look after each other
3. Look after the larger community (and the world). Of course...for my purpose..it was changed to the school.

It seems very easy right ? I don't think so. And of the three, the hardest...is the very first rule.

Look After Your Self
On the surface, it seems as though it's asking you to be self-centred, selfish and even egoistic ...only thinking about your own needs and wants. But do not forget that before you can look after others, you need to be able to look after your SELF first.

How many of us really do that ? Be our own best friend ? Be our own critic too? To look after your SELF means so many things...

Do we tell our SELF to be good, and do good all the time? Do we pick our SELF when we are down? Do we develop in our SELF good moral values? Do we tell our SELF to keep on going when the odds are against us?

Looking after our SELF...means being responsible for the being in us...to ensure that our SELF has integrity. Think of integrity like the foundation of your house...If that foundation is strong,..it will be able to hold up against the strongest winds. To have that integrity, you need to look after your SELF...to ensure you stick to moral and ethical principles...and develop a sound character...and that is extremely hard...for we humans have flaws, and succumb to our desires, or our 'dark side'. It is ironic that this means being committed to looking after your CHARACTER than for personal gain or glory or gratification.

Looking after our SELF...I got this quote from a book,"Integrity is an inside job". You learn to love, respect, honour and care for your SELF(again a reminder that you are not to turn into a megalomaniac) You learn to be responsible to make the 'best' choices for yourself.. You will build a positive ATTITUDE for the SELF. Choose nothing but the best for yourself.

Looking after your SELF...means being dedicated to inculcating values like honesty, faith, trusthworthiness. In a time of constant change, you need to be firmly anchored by beliefs and principless that will not change. Be true to these virtues, and have faith in the One above.

When you are ready for the first rule, the rest will fall in place.

So what appears to be simple, is indeed the hardest? Really? Just be true to your SELF...and God willing, you'll be a much better being.

I choose to live by the rules...and if I slip occasionally, I will keep on trying.