In my practice, which is my life, I try to live by four basic rules. I've also taught these rules to my children and all those I counsel. As such, I also want to pass them on to you. I hope they help you, as much as they have helped me and mine. Here they are:
Tell The Truth
Although it may be much harder to do so at first, telling the truth about who you really are, what you really think, what you really feel, what you've done or what you really want do, IS the easier softer way. Lying is not. Lying is a fear-based illusion and tactic for handling an issue or person by pretending to be someone you are not. In other words, it's a delay tactic that will catch up with you sooner or later. You can lie by commission or lie by omission. The first involves making something up while the later involves leaving something out. Either way, when you misrepresent yourself, people will have no idea who the real you is or how to deal with you accordingly. Not to mention it takes a lot more energy to cover your tracks and keep up your facades. It's foolish to expect that you will ever get what you want out of life by wasting your time and energy being someone you are not. The only sure way I know of requires that you tell the truth, in all situations, with all people, at all times. No matter how difficult it may seem to be. It's the only thing that will truly set you free. Free to live the life you want and be the person you want to be. Tell the truth now, or be forced to face it later. Deal with it now, on your terms, or be at its mercy later. What goes around, comes around. There is no escape. The truth always prevails.
Keep It Real
Keeping it real goes hand in hand with telling the truth. Keeping it real requires that you let down all your pretenses and stop trying to be someone you are not. People who keep it real are down-to-earth, authentic and easy to get along with. They don't overly complicate things and have an ability to simplify even the most complex things. They just let it all hang out!
Just Be You
I'm often amused at how easily and quickly we are swayed by pop culture to take on and live out someone else's identity. From Hanna Montana to Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, we can't seem to find "our way" without being in their image or likeness. Unfortunately, and quite frankly, the price we must pay to be molded in another's image and likeness is the loss of our True Self. Seems to me, that this an exorbitant price to pay--just to be like everyone else. Why would you want to give up your chance at being the one and only unique expression of you, just to act like a cheap imitation of someone else? I suggest you think about it this way--those other people we all seem to want to be, got to where they are, not by being like someone else, but by being unlike anyone else.
Do The Right Thing
This can mean different things to different people, but the fundamental idea is to be true to yourself. Treat people the way you want to be treated. Do no harm to yourself or another. And finally, always do your best in everything you do. Give it your best shot! You can't go wrong by doing the right thing, whatever that means to you.
So, there you have it--my four basic rules for life. Now go, be you and live by your own rules!
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