Author Topic: What are your "rules to live by?" (Read 18613 times)

DocCyane · « **on:** June 02, 2013, 08:51:54 PM »

Not long ago I decided I needed to write down some of life's lessons that I've learned along the way in one, cohesive document. I felt by putting down on paper what my beliefs are that I would be better able to avoid repeating mistakes.

The list itself is not terribly exciting and parts are a bit private, but here is an example:

7. Always carry your wallet, keys, phone and a knife. And your whole bug-out bag. Or that will be the day a hen craps on you.

Yes, there's a story that goes with that, but the lesson is what counts. I am better equipped now when I leave the house.

I thought you mighty smart Mustachians might share with me something from your list of rules.

Thanks,
DocCyane

Russ · « **Reply #1 on:** June 02, 2013, 09:02:25 PM »

"Don't stick your dick in crazy"

From my dad, the secret to success:
"Be on time; do what you say; finish what you start"

I'm not particularly good at any of the above, but I try and do a little better every day

Jamesqf · « **Reply #2 on:** June 02, 2013, 10:36:15 PM »

In the spirit of your #7: "Always lock your car doors with the key, so you know you didn't lock your keys in the car."

Expanding on that a bit: "Thinking ahead takes a lot less energy than fixing the problems caused by not thinking." And "If you think, you'll see a lot of ways to make life nicer for other people without inconvenience to yourself. This gets you a reputation as a nice guy without having to work at it. (Or indeed, having to actually be one :-))"

arebelspy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 02, 2013, 10:43:38 PM »

Be happy.
Be free.

Not necessarily in that order.

Will · « **Reply #4 on:** June 02, 2013, 11:34:37 PM »

"What other people think of me is none of my business."

cerberusss · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:29:24 AM »

Great topic, these are mine:
- In my house there's peace and quiet, and I can take it easy there
- If I feel like leaving (some situation, some party), I'm free to do so
- Do something good for someone
- Life will occasionally throw things on my way, but that's life and I'll accept it as I go

Adventine · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2013, 02:36:53 AM »

Really good topic. For me, the basic rules would be...

- People can take away your money, but they can never take away your education.
- Good jobs don't last forever. The same goes for bad jobs.
- Children are not a retirement plan.

BlueMR2 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2013, 08:39:50 AM »

- Keep your house keys and car keys on separate keyrings.
- Always check the dipstick and oil cap to make sure they're secure after a shop does an oil change.
- When cycling with cycling shoes, always keep a pair of shoes suitable for long distance walking in your backpack (and always carry a backpack with spare parts)!

Sparafusile · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2013, 08:48:45 AM »

I regret less the things I tried and failed than the things I failed to try.

I'm nearly a year into my third start-up attempt and this time I think it's finally paying off. My wife has questioned me each time whether the money and effort will be worth it and every time I tell her it's bound to work one of these times. Fortunately for software start-ups not much money has been needed.

footenote · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2013, 09:45:03 AM »

Quote from: Sparafusile on June 03, 2013, 08:48:45 AM

I regret less the things I tried and failed than the things I failed to try.

I'm nearly a year into my third start-up attempt and this time I think it's finally paying off. My wife has questioned me each time whether the money and effort will be worth it and every time I tell her it's bound to work one of these times. Fortunately for software start-ups not much money has been needed.

Hang in there - my first software startup flopped, but listening to prospects tell me what SaaS they would pay money for was invaluable. Second startup has been modestly profitable for 18 months now. Good luck!

mustachecat · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2013, 10:01:00 AM »

Don't be an asshole.

Okay, it's more of a "rule I try to live by," but still. ;)

wiferkhart · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2013, 12:57:43 PM »

Be nice.
Don't hesitate to share what you have with anyone who needs it.
Cook a meal for any and all visitors. If we like you enough to invite you into our home, we'll happily feed you.

infogoon · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:31:07 PM »

Always carry an extra tube.

Sparafusile · « **Reply #13 on:** June 03, 2013, 01:48:17 PM »

I have a couple more:

Move with a sense of urgency.

Everything you do, do competently.

brewer12345 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 03, 2013, 03:27:00 PM »

This sums up the general idea:

"To be a man means that you are brave, loyal and true. When you are in the wrong, you own up and take your punishment. You don't take advantage of women. As a husband, you support and protect your wife and children. You are gracious in victory and a good sport in defeat. Your word is your bond. Your handshake is as good as your word... When the ship goes down, you put the women and children into the lifeboats and wave good-bye with a smile." C Murray

Donovan · « **Reply #15 on:** June 03, 2013, 04:25:41 PM »

I have read tons of good things throughout my life, but my favorite two come from the two best teachers that I have ever had the honor to study under:

"Life is not impromptu."

"If you are on time, then you are already late."

tuyop · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2013, 05:13:34 AM »

"Don't live in fear."

DocCyane · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2013, 05:27:06 AM »

Quote from: tuyop on June 04, 2013, 05:13:34 AM

"Don't live in fear."

+1 That's powerful.

Zaga · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2013, 07:03:36 AM »

Don't remember where I found this, but it's one of my favorites:

"Life may not be the party you'd hoped for, but while you're here you may as well dance."

arebelspy · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2013, 07:08:09 AM »

Quote from: Zaga on June 04, 2013, 07:03:36 AM

Don't remember where I found this, but it's one of my favorites:

"Life may not be the party you'd hoped for, but while you're here you may as well dance."

I like that.

However, I can't share it. I almost sent it to people I know, but they'll just take it as an excuse to spend.

Zaga · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2013, 07:21:49 AM »

Lol, I don't think of it as spending at all! Just living in the moment, taking risks sometimes, and not living in fear or regret.

infogoon · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2013, 09:29:39 AM »

A classic from Robert Heinlein: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

Bakari · « **Reply #22 on:** June 04, 2013, 09:33:03 AM »

No one can cut you off if you choose to slow down and let them in

Bakari · « **Reply #23 on:** June 04, 2013, 09:43:04 AM »

How much you can do depends on where you believe your limits are. You can do a lot more when you don't know that you can't

I work hard, and I play hard. Wait, no... I don't work hard at all

solution to credit crunch: don't live beyond your means

Only 5 billion years until the sun expands and engulfs the Earth.
Make the most of them.

culture=conformity

I've been thinking about mortality lately. I've decided to spend the brief time I have here being awesome.

not learning from your mistakes is the ultimate sign of living in the present

cats don't worry

I worked with a guy who is 70 years old
I told him I could handle the work, but he insisted on helping
I said I hope I can still do this work at 70
I asked him the secret
he said, kind of quietly, "lots of sex"

psychomoustache · « **Reply #24 on:** June 04, 2013, 11:29:55 AM »

Just get up and put one foot in front of the other. You are already on your way.

This has always helped me a lot.

aj_yooper · « **Reply #25 on:** June 04, 2013, 11:54:04 AM »

Watch out for left turns.

Fake it 'til you make it.

Insanity · « **Reply #26 on:** June 04, 2013, 01:10:11 PM »

My volleyball coach had the best quote, and I try to live my life on and off the court the same way --

Better the ball.

It's simple, but the underlying meaning is profound. Whatever you are doing you are part of a team. When one of that team members doesn't do what is expected, pick up and make sure you do your best to put the team in a better situation. I try this day in and day out with the team at work, the team at home, and of course whatever team I am playing with on the court. I don't worry about what my competitors are doing, I worry about what our team is doing and what I can do better.

LowER · « **Reply #27 on:** July 04, 2013, 09:09:21 AM »

Tecumseh

Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about his religion.

Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.

Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.

When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength.

Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way.

Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home.

Tecumseh 1768-1813

(it's been my favorite for a while)

Stacey · « **Reply #28 on:** July 04, 2013, 03:05:53 PM »

Quote from: Bakari on June 04, 2013, 09:33:03 AM

No one can cut you off if you choose to slow down and let them in

I love this! I've thought of this often after I first saw it in your sig line a few months ago. Definitely helps me on my quest to surrender to the now.

arebelspy · « **Reply #29 on:** July 04, 2013, 03:15:57 PM »

Quote from: Stacey on July 04, 2013, 03:05:53 PM

Quote from: Bakari on June 04, 2013, 09:33:03 AM
No one can cut you off if you choose to slow down and let them in

I love this! I've thought of this often after I first saw it in your sig line a few months ago. Definitely helps me on my quest to surrender to the now.

+1. My wife and I quote it to each other sometimes while driving.

footenote · « **Reply #30 on:** July 04, 2013, 04:13:59 PM »

Quote from: arebelspy on July 04, 2013, 03:15:57 PM

Quote from: Stacey on July 04, 2013, 03:05:53 PM
Quote from: Bakari on June 04, 2013, 09:33:03 AM
No one can cut you off if you choose to slow down and let them in

I love this! I've thought of this often after I first saw it in your sig line a few months ago. Definitely helps me on my quest to surrender to the now.

+1. My wife and I quote it to each other sometimes while driving.

+1. I also often smile broadly and say "You're welcome!" out loud.

Bakari · « **Reply #31 on:** July 04, 2013, 08:55:48 PM »

Quote from: footenote on July 04, 2013, 04:13:59 PM

Quote from: arebelspy on July 04, 2013, 03:15:57 PM
Quote from: Stacey on July 04, 2013, 03:05:53 PM
Quote from: Bakari on June 04, 2013, 09:33:03 AM
No one can cut you off if you choose to slow down and let them in

I love this! I've thought of this often after I first saw it in your sig line a few months ago. Definitely helps me on my quest to surrender to the now.

+1. My wife and I quote it to each other sometimes while driving.
+1. I also often smile broadly and say "You're welcome!" out loud.

Well thanks, yall!

I originally wrote it in the context of actual driving, but then later I realized that its a good analogy for interacting with people in general.

TrulyStashin · « **Reply #32 on:** July 05, 2013, 08:30:47 AM »

Decisions made out of fear never come out right. Know what fear feels like so you can remove it from the equation.

JanMN · « **Reply #33 on:** July 05, 2013, 09:14:10 AM »

Quote from: LowER on July 04, 2013, 09:09:21 AM

Tecumseh

...

That is going on my refrigerator today-

LowER · « **Reply #34 on:** July 06, 2013, 09:52:31 PM »

Quote from: JanMN on July 05, 2013, 09:14:10 AM

Quote from: LowER on July 04, 2013, 09:09:21 AM
Tecumseh

...

That is going on my refrigerator today-

Words I have tried to live by my whole life but never captured and embodied by this level of complexity and simplicity wrapped into such simple and powerful brevity. Your frig and all who pass by will thank you for sharing.

Chowder · « **Reply #35 on:** July 06, 2013, 10:26:50 PM »

"Do it right, once, the first time." - My boss

"Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional." - My uncle

Never stop learning.

The only Zen you find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there. - Robert M. Pirsig

I also try to live a life of compassion, putting myself in the other person's shoes for anything I may feel the need to judge them for. I can't stand listening to office gossip. It doesn't make me too popular.

Kriegsspiel · « **Reply #36 on:** July 07, 2013, 07:05:35 AM »

FIDO. Fuck it, drive on.

Always bring a towel.

Bakari · « **Reply #37 on:** July 07, 2013, 09:13:19 AM »

Quote from: StudentLoanSlayer on July 06, 2013, 10:26:50 PM

I also try to live a life of compassion, putting myself in the other person's shoes for anything I may feel the need to judge them for. I can't stand listening to office gossip. It doesn't make me too popular.

Before you insult a man, walk a mile in his shoes.

That way, when you insult him, you are a mile away. And you have his shoes.

(just kidding)

ace1224 · « **Reply #38 on:** July 08, 2013, 05:50:10 AM »

Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light. - Albus Dumbledore

and no i don't care that its from Harry Potter, I still love it

Kriegsspiel · « **Reply #39 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:11:34 PM »

Quote from: Mortgage Mutilator on July 12, 2013, 07:42:31 AM

And finally a cookie goes to the person who can (without Googling) tell me where this one was paraphrased from:
"The evil of the subconscious is too strong to resist. The only way to win is to deny it battle."

(It refers to all types of "evil" such as temptation to buy something, eat something, do something etc)

Epictetus? I'm reading his stuff right now and it seems like something he might say.

arebelspy · « **Reply #40 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:44:45 PM »

I googled it.

It's from a TV show I've never seen. With that hint, maybe some will get it.

kkbmustang · « **Reply #41 on:** July 12, 2013, 05:45:20 PM »

The Bible: Love God, Love your neighbor.
My Dad: Don't eat yellow snow.
Not sure: If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Kriegsspiel · « **Reply #42 on:** July 12, 2013, 06:25:11 PM »

Kung Fu!!!!

Eric · « **Reply #43 on:** July 26, 2013, 01:32:16 PM »

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Also, Bakari, I'm stealing your quote for my signature line. Thanks!

AlmostIndependent · « **Reply #44 on:** July 29, 2013, 01:04:30 PM »

Never underestimate the power of shutting the fuck up.

Kriegsspiel · « **Reply #45 on:** July 29, 2013, 05:34:58 PM »

This dude shut the fuck up for 17 years.

Dee · « **Reply #46 on:** July 29, 2013, 06:41:15 PM »

Two I've found helpful lately:

1. start from where you are
2. everything IS ok (as opposed to everything is going to be ok)

Luck better Skill · « **Reply #47 on:** July 29, 2013, 09:10:57 PM »

The evil of the subconscious is too strong to resist. The only way to win is to deny it battle.

I remember the character Daniel saying something like this in StarGate SG1, possible quote from Budda.

Luck better Skill · « **Reply #48 on:** July 29, 2013, 09:16:11 PM »

My Tag/Motto for the last few years.
Simple is Best
Less is More.

Motivate myself to start/finish a project
Better today then perfect tomorrow.

Spiritual
Perfect love cast out all fear.

minmax · « **Reply #49 on:** July 30, 2013, 05:08:18 AM »

Ok it's from Game of Thrones, but its massively relevant for the society we live in.

Chaos isn't a pit. Chaos is a ladder

Essentially modern day life is chaos, you are being barraged with advertisements and capitalist messages every which way you turn. The select few rise above this and realise that it's all about perception.

I apply this mentality at work. Questions rules, go against the grain. Talk like you can do things and before you know it, people think you ARE the go to guy for that topic... not too long after this, you actually ARE what you said you would be. Jump in to a new challenge with both feet, its amazing what you can achieve when you realise that nothing really matters.

News:

Author Topic: What are your "rules to live by?" (Read 18613 times)

JanMN

Kriegsspiel

Kriegsspiel

Kriegsspiel

Kriegsspiel