Do you have rules that you live by? What are they?

2016-08-10T22:41:27-04:00

My youngest son once wrote an essay in jr high wherein he complained that I had too many rules about life. Not that I imposed them on him or anyone else. I imposed them on myself and he felt obligated to measure up to them. Ever since (a couple decades now) I've worried over it (I guess I did have to many). Then I found this today attributed to G W Carver. I like this list. I think I'll adopt it

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 10:46 PM

2016-08-10T22:46:10-04:00

"To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" - Pre

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 11:05 PM

2016-08-10T23:05:00-04:00

1. Do not want much: do not desire little either.
2. Help others as much as you can, the best you can, whenever you can, with whatever you can.
3. Pursue a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ.
4. Give others the courtesy of being human.
5. A strong person loves; it's too easy to hate.
6. Happy wife, happy life.
7. A healthy body promotes a healthy mind.
8. Be disciplined; you will be the best version of yourself.
9. Don't abuse sarcasm; say what you mean.
10. People who live long smile often.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 11:31 PM

2016-08-10T23:31:24-04:00

If by Rudyard Kipling is a poem that I try to measure up to.

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too:
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim,
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same:.
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build'em up with worn-out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Response by SFC William Farrell made Aug 10 at 2016 11:49 PM

2016-08-10T23:49:21-04:00

George Washington Carver was a very smart man CPT Jack Durish thanks for sharing as I dont believe Ive seen this before.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 11 at 2016 12:15 AM

2016-08-11T00:15:15-04:00

Don't rat on your friends.
Look out for your friends/family.

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Aug 11 at 2016 2:47 AM

2016-08-11T02:47:03-04:00

Be Positive.
Share credit for successes, and accept the consequences of failure.
Educate myself and others.
Get mad and get over it. Hold no grudges.
Reward initiative.
Respect other opinions.
Have empathy.
Be humble.
CPT Jack Durish great post!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2016 3:06 AM

2016-08-11T03:06:19-04:00

Great post CPT Jack Durish ... In addition to the many already posted:

1. If mama ain't happy, then nobody's happy!
2. Always put your family first
3. Practice the art of listening
4. Help others without expecting anything in return
5. Believe in your ability to change your circumstances

Response by Lt Col Scott Shuttleworth made Aug 11 at 2016 10:15 AM

2016-08-11T10:15:05-04:00

Great post. I have always been a fan of GW Carver. These are what I have learned over the years and are my rules not inclusive but what I have tried to live by professionally and at home. May include some of the ones below but that just means great minds think alike:
1.) God first...ALWAYS
2.) Respect all people and what they bring to the table.
3.) Manners and common courtesy are free...use them. i.e., Yes sir, no sir, yes ma'am, no ma'am, opening doors for ladies, giving up your seat to another especially the elderly or handicapped
4.) Help others without looking for credit or honors
5.) Encourage others
6.) Ask for help...tough one but probably the hardest for anyone
7.) Leave it better than you found it
8.) Always have integrity...it is the only thing you can lose than no one can take away from you. Be accountable for your actions.
9.) Give everyone a chance to do right. I believe it is inherent in all of us to want to do the right things.
10.) Don't perpetuate lies...stop it with you...make decisions by looking for facts not based on conjecture.
11.) Praise in public, discipline in private