My Ten Commandments

There is a rather famous list of commandments floating around out there on the internet. You may have read them.

While that list is noteworthy, I think we can all do better.

Each of us has the ability to sit down and define our own commandments. After all, who knows you better? Who is the first account witness to all of your highest highs, and your lowest lows? Who better to hold you accountable? …Exactly. It just takes a bit of honesty.

This is my current list. I say current because I’m now old enough to know how things change.

With every year, month, and day that I live, I’m constantly making new observations. I’m forming new beliefs and opinions. I can laugh at the things I was thinking a few years ago, so I know I will laugh again in the future.

I also know that I will sometimes fail to meet the ideals established by this list. I’ll probably fall short on a daily basis. But that’s not the point. The point is that if we establish any sort of standard for ourselves, and try our best to stick to it, then we’ll be light years ahead of the 90% of humans who don’t seem to give a shit about anything.

That’s why this exercise is essential. You must always work to sharpen your own saw.

So, without further delay, here are my ten commandments (for now!), in no particular order.

1. Recognize that your time is extremely limited. Try to do something that matters.
2. You will experience both success and failure. Learn, adapt, and move on as quickly as possible. You don’t want to gather moss!
3. If you only have one ass, you cannot ride two horses! Ruthlessly simplify your life.
4. Figure out what you’re best at and maximize your impact. For all that other stuff, make great friends and ask for their help.  Just be prepared to return the favor in kind.
5. Don’t spend time arguing about religion and dogma when you could simply be watching a sunset.
6. If you believe strongly in something, speak up and let yourself be heard. It’s ok to be an ass-hole sometimes.
7. Well, sometimes you will be very wrong! It happens to us all. In the face of that evidence, be prepared to admit it.
8. For every trip you take for pleasure and relaxation, take another for adventure. It’s not always fun, but you’ll learn more than you can possibly imagine. Also, the world is really big. You’ve seen enough of your local beach.
9. Food is a huge part of your life. In the spirit of #8, when you’re offered something new, weird, or foreign, just eat the damn thing! How bad could it be?
10. You must have discipline in your diet, training, and life in general. However, you must make room for some pleasure. It’s not all about doing without. To paraphrase The Godfather, learn when to take the damn cannoli!

What’s on your list?

Related articles

• Be an Artist (thechrismooreblog.com)
• Mind the Hum (thechrismooreblog.com)
• 10 Pearls (thechrismooreblog.com)