Red's Rules

[Flicker Sweet 3,391]

So often, I look around and see only hatred or distrust. Look left, a gay person is being harassed; look right, a Muslim is being labeled a terrorist. So often, we look at others and call them out. We hardly ever look at ourselves and see our faults and correct them. I figured this out during my sophomore year of high school but didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t until my junior year that I took action to better myself; I made myself a list of rules by which I guide myself:

1. A man always follows his rules

2. A man who breaks his rules is subject to his own conscience

3. A man always keeps true to his word, even at his own expense

4. A man never betrays his friends or his family

5. A man puts others before himself

6. A man never feels or speaks hate

7. A man will not try to alter one’s political, moral, or religious beliefs

8. A man has no place to judge another person unless he is perfect

9. A man strives to better himself, but he is NEVER perfect

10. A man has no need for violence 

I follow these rules almost religiously in my life, almost like a second set of Ten Commandments. There is no rule that is more important than the other; they each must be followed to the same degree. That’s what the first rule tells me. If I don’t follow my rules equally and constantly, then I have no point in having them. The second rule explains what happens if I break any of my rules. I don’t have to punish myself physically to know that I did something wrong, my own mind will be my punishment. I have to live with the knowledge that I’ve wronged someone, and in doing so, wronged myself as well. The third rule is one that I find myself struggling with a lot. So often I find people saying, “I promise I’ll do better,” or, “I swear that’ll never happen again,” but then, almost the next DAY, they are doing the exact same thing they just vowed not to do. It drove me insane and I could no longer tolerate seeing myself doing it. I guess the third rule has made me more aware of the things I say I’ll do, because now I’ve made myself accountable for my actions and words. The seventh rule is also one that I struggle with. It is basic human nature to want to make people see my way, but there is a limit. Once I start trying to convince someone that they’re wrong, I in fact become wrong. I can give someone all of the facts on a matter, but I have no right to try and change their mind on something. If I feel they are doing something wrong or making a bad choice, I can only hope that they will figure it out. And it sucks a lot because people won’t always make the right choice and I watch them get hurt, but I have to remember that I did my part. I hope that people read this someday, and see why I act the way I do. It’s not because I’m a wimp, or that I don’t care. I have rules. I have to follow them. Otherwise, I have to answer to the greatest influence on my life: myself.

Edited May 11, 2013 by Red

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

Red, you inspired me dude.

 

That right there, was the speech of the century!

 

I know how you feel, but as for me, I just sadly have to do what everybody hates... dealing with it... although I do take actions once in a while to stop the madness around me.

 

But you, you got a lot of potential dude, rock on!

[Estella 88]

Red, I've followed rules very, VERY similar to these my entire life, and they've helped me through troubles for a long time.

 

I am indeed subject to being emotionally harder on myself than any person could verbally or physically harm me, and I KNOW no man is perfect, but we all strive to be.

 

Of course, like you also said, it is in human nature to bend others to our viewpoints. Such is the point of Political Placement, no?

 

You have so much potential, so don't let it go to waste!

[PinkiePieClone 35]

Red, those rules are interesting. Most are very good, however, personally, I see a few potential flaws. For example sitting around and letting a friend get hurt is one of them. It also contradicts the rule about always standing by your friends. Standing by your friends automatically implies helping them avoid potentially dangerous situations (at least to me). In the past I have been saved from potential rape by a friend who knew that someone I wanted to date was "Not so good". A past boyfriend of mine has saved me from trying a drug in the past, that otherwise might be bad for me in particular. I respect that you are trying to let people learn lessons on their own, and indeed sometimes that is necessary, but in my opinion, there can be harmful situations in which you need to guide your friend away from. I remember an episode of MLP that made the issue of trying to help a friend abundantly clear, though I cannot remember the episode number or title...Basically the episode "lesson" was that you should talk to your friends when you suspect something is wrong with them, or harmful to them.

 

Another problem is of a certain paradoxical nature, since by always standing by your friends, you risk allowing yourself to make some bad choices. What if said friend plans on hurting someone, whether physically, emotionally, or what-have-you? Would you stand by them then?

 

I'm not trying to nit-pick, and I'm sorry if it comes across that way! It's my personal opinion, and you can take it or leave it. Even so, I do applaud your ability to stick to your word. I have never been able to follow any sort of rules religiously, so you're doing better than me on that front!

[I used to be a stranger 7,993]

This post has been redacted by the author.

Edited May 6, 2021 by Blue

[123457 51]

this is true for me i have a bisexual wife and a gay son and i love them all the same we all gods kids i myself have some LGBT students in my classroom 

[ShadowRose2k 271]

 

 

So often, I look around and see only hatred or distrust. Look left, a gay person is being harassed; look right, a Muslim is being labeled a terrorist. So often, we look at others and call them out. We hardly ever look at ourselves and see our faults and correct them. I figured this out during my sophomore year of high school but didn’t know what to do. It wasn’t until my junior year that I took action to better myself; I made myself a list of rules by which I guide myself:

 

1. A man always follows his rules

2. A man who breaks his rules is subject to his own conscience

3. A man always keeps true to his word, even at his own expense

4. A man never betrays his friends or his family

5. A man puts others before himself

6. A man never feels or speaks hate

7. A man will not try to alter one’s political, moral, or religious beliefs

8. A man has no place to judge another person unless he is perfect

9. A man strives to better himself, but he is NEVER perfect

10. A man has no need for violence

 

I follow these rules almost religiously in my life, almost like a second set of Ten Commandments. There is no rule that is more important than the other; they each must be followed to the same degree. That’s what the first rule tells me. If I don’t follow my rules equally and constantly, then I have no point in having them. The second rule explains what happens if I break any of my rules. I don’t have to punish myself physically to know that I did something wrong, my own mind will be my punishment. I have to live with the knowledge that I’ve wronged someone, and in doing so, wronged myself as well. The third rule is one that I find myself struggling with a lot. So often I find people saying, “I promise I’ll do better,” or, “I swear that’ll never happen again,” but then, almost the next DAY, they are doing the exact same thing they just vowed not to do. It drove me insane and I could no longer tolerate seeing myself doing it. I guess the third rule has made me more aware of the things I say I’ll do, because now I’ve made myself accountable for my actions and words. The seventh rule is also one that I struggle with. It is basic human nature to want to make people see my way, but there is a limit. Once I start trying to convince someone that they’re wrong, I in fact become wrong. I can give someone all of the facts on a matter, but I have no right to try and change their mind on something. If I feel they are doing something wrong or making a bad choice, I can only hope that they will figure it out. And it sucks a lot because people won’t always make the right choice and I watch them get hurt, but I have to remember that I did my part. I hope that people read this someday, and see why I act the way I do. It’s not because I’m a wimp, or that I don’t care. I have rules. I have to follow them. Otherwise, I have to answer to the greatest influence on my life: myself.

 

 

Sorry  I had to Break that up a bit.  When I see a wall of text it hurts my eyes.     It is good to see you have a Code to live by tho.

 

I personally Just follow  "Don't Panic!"    As well as the standard 10 comandments. 

[Zygen 6,066]

I like it, those are some pretty good morals to live by I think. 

 

I do agree, people do critique others without looking at themselves, alot, its become so common sometimes it feels kinda like second nature really.

 

But really you shouldn't judge people.

 

Anyways great rules Red, good luck following them .

[MelancholicMemory 2,025]

 

 

8. A man has no place to judge another person unless he is perfect

Sweet! I can judge people now!

 

 

 

7. A man will not try to alter one’s political, moral, or religious beliefs

Do you mean you won't change your own beliefs or you won't try to change other people's beliefs?

 

Overall, I dislike the use of rules. as you know from skype, I only have two strict rules.

[Mixolydian Grey 15]

6. A man never feels or speaks hate

 

It's nearly impossible to control what you feel, you can just control what you do about it.

 

 

 

7. A man will not try to alter one’s political, moral, or religious beliefs

 

What if the other's beliefs are harmful? Certain religions dictate that blood transfusions are not to be used, and there are cases where children have died because their religious parents refused to allow the life-saving operation for religious reasons. Then of course there are homicidal extremists.

 

 

 

8. A man has no place to judge another person unless he is perfect

 

Then what shall we do with criminals?

 

 

 

10. A man has no need for violence

 

You are attacked by a violent animal. Evasion tactics are ineffective. What do you do?

 

--

 

I'm not trying to be a jerk and tell you you're wrong, just pointing out things for you to think about. It's good to have a code to live by. It provides a solid basis for decision making.

Edited May 10, 2013 by Mixolydian Grey

[ShinySneasel 34]

I do not have any set in stone rules to live by; I have morals. The problem with rules is that they are rigid, and cannot be applied to every situation that may arise. Your rules are full of inconsistensies and oversights that you are probably not aware of. It almost sounds as if you are trying to live without making mistakes, and that simply will not happen. Part of being human is the inevitability that you will sometimes make mistakes. Where good morals come into play, is how you handle those mistakes and learn from them. Better yourself as a person by overcoming your mistakes, but do not attempt to supress your humanity in the process.

[Guest]

This seems like a relevant thread to post my own personal 10 commandments.

 

1. always be honest, faithful and loyal

2. let your words be thy weapon

3. treat others the way you want to be treated

4. don't feed the trolls

5. stay on topic

6. write and speak with purpose

7. don't argue

8. question authority

9. do your part

10. be tolerant of others.