I haven't really given this much thought. Certainly not as much thought as it probably warrants. But the idea that you need a set of rules to live by is absurd. None of the following constitutes any serious attempt to define a bunch of ‘golden regulations’ that will make your life easier, more fulfilling, meaningful, purposeful etc… The following is then a set of ideas that might influence how you consider your behaviour. I'm not changing the title however, ideas is less impactful than rules.
1. Do what you want
This being your life and your only life. You should do with it what you want in a most aggressive manner. Don't let others or society tell you what to do. Live for you but of course…
2. Do as little harm as possible
Tread lightly on the earth. Don't drive a car or own polluting and resource intensive things if you have an alternative. Consume only what you absolutely need and no more. Don't harm other people or non human creatures intentionally or even knowingly indirectly.
3. Do not work
This is an extension of the above. Don't get a job just because. It eats into your me time and probably just aids in fucking up the environment. By all means work at something you enjoy. Everyday should be yours to enjoy as you see fit.
4. Don't tell other people what to do
Hence the caveat at the start. People need to find their own path in life. The trouble with laws is people obey them because they are laws and not because they have come to understand the value inherent in the said law. As such they never take on the moral dimension of that law or principle. The best way to enact change in others is to…
5. Be the change you want to see in the world
Gandhi’s famous adage. Just show people a better way and if they like what they see they will adopt a version of their own. This way they have discovered how to be a better them by themselves which makes such a change all the more potent.
6. Experience life directly
Similar to number one, this rule stresses the importance of being an active participant in life. Doing something for yourself as opposed to virtually or having the experience mediated by culture is a pale imitation of the real thing. Porn is not sex. Masterchef is not cooking. City parks are not the wilderness. Get out there and get dirty, feel, smell and touch the world. It's not always pleasant but it's brutally real.
7. Make art
Doesn't matter what it is. Doesn't matter if you suck at it. Don't try to make money out of it. You can if you want but just don't make that the MO. Art expresses the inexpressible. It's playtime for adults. Art is the only thing that can encapsulate and convey what it means to be you. It is unique to your way of seeing the world. It makes you understood and manifests in the world your essence.
8. Try not to lie
This is a hard one. Especially when the chances of getting away with the lie are very high and the resultant effect of the lie is minor. Try not to. Lies or even omissions of information cause complications. You then need to twist reality and intention to fit the lie or justify why you hid something from another person. If you do, be straight up and apologise quickly for any lapses in truthfulness. The less lies the closer you and your friends will be to everyone's natural state of understanding about the world. This is a far better bedrock on which build relationships.
9. Forgive
Say your piece, feel your disappointment and anger and then let it go. A lack of forgiveness is what feeds the necessity to lie. If we never give people an out from their errors then they will only continue to hide their misdeeds. Forgiveness is the antidote to a lie. It enables us to carry on after mistakes so that we can learn from them and do better the next time.
9 rules to live by
I liked this. Thanks for reminding me a few basics. Please allow my comments on a few nuances:
1. should actually be ‘Live Life’ for ‘do what you want’ is a known slogan of a famous satanist, Aleister Crowley ‘ Do What Thou Wilt’ - implying disorganized lifestyle deplete of moral compass and ethical standards.
3. Work is a matter of perspective. If you mean a menial low paying, slaving employment, all time consuming job - then, sure - don’t do that. Work can be also rewarding and uplifting. ‘Work is a gold bracelet’ was a motto I kept hearing when I was a child, and I kept responding that I don’t wear gold, but the principle was, and remains true.
7. When doing ‘artistic stuff’, which you should - it’s good for you, be mindful that there is real Art out there, created by truly gifted people of which you will never be one, and be grateful for their legacy and work.
Best wishes.