Two Rules

This is the first entry in a series of lessons that I wish to pass onto my son, Alexander. I also wish to share it with Nicola and Mark because they never heard me say these words…

This is my observation – I wish that someone had told me these two rules 30 years ago. Alexander, there are just two rules to living life well with others. Now this may seem simplistic, but it will make sense. The 10 Commandments, most biblical moral lessons, many laws and social rules can be boiled down to  just these two rules.

Rule 1 – Don’t hurt others.

Rule 2 – Try not to hurt yourself.

Whenever you get stuck in a dark tunnel, check these two rules to bring you to the light.

Two easy rules with one common challenge. You will need to think in every interaction with people if you are following the rules, in the order they are written. The greater challenge will be using your open mind to know what hurt is.

Lastly, the real trick is being able to identify when others are being hurt by you and when you are being hurt by other people. Every single time you are challenged in a relationship, with anyone, check to see if you are following these two rules; if you are, then you have done all that you can.

The greatest people who lived on this earth, from Gandhi to Mother Theresa, followed these two rules.