Rules
C. mentioned in passing a desire for me to write down the rules I have for myself, no doubt because I have mentioned their existence on more than one occasion. Because I am in a reflective sort of mood tonight, now seemed as good a time as any.
Rules that are crossed out have been modified, if a replacement rule appears close below. Rules that are just struck out were deemed to have an invalid basis, and thus removed completely.
1. Suicide is not an option.
2. No consumption of alcohol of any kind.
3. No consumption of drugs of any kind.
4. No consumption of tobacco of any kind.
5. No addiction to or dependency on any substance, whether natural or otherwise.
6. Do not seek attention.
7. Never be alone with or trust a person of the opposite gender.
8. No marriage before completing college.
9. Before committing to marriage or a permanent relationship, the following minimum time spans must have elapsed:
- Have known the person and been friends with them for at least 1 year (consecutive).
- Have dated the person for at least 6 months.
10. Do not enter into or continue a relationship with anyone you are afraid of.
11. If you are in a situation where you unexpectedly feel frightened or unsafe, or if you are with someone who makes you feel this way, remove yourself to a safe location immediately. Do not disregard your instincts in this matter. Do not rationalize the feeling away.
12. Treat other people the way they wish to be treated, not the way you would want to be treated yourself.
13. Do not make decisions for other people.
There may be a few more, but I try to keep the list to a minimum. As I get older, I've increasingly realized that it's not the rules that are important, so much as the reason each was formed. Most important is recognizing the exceptions to each of these.
Rules that are crossed out have been modified, if a replacement rule appears close below. Rules that are just struck out were deemed to have an invalid basis, and thus removed completely.
1. Suicide is not an option.
2. No consumption of alcohol of any kind.
3. No consumption of drugs of any kind.
4. No consumption of tobacco of any kind.
5. No addiction to or dependency on any substance, whether natural or otherwise.
6. Do not seek attention.
7. Never be alone with or trust a person of the opposite gender.
8. No marriage before completing college.
9. Before committing to marriage or a permanent relationship, the following minimum time spans must have elapsed:
- Have known the person and been friends with them for at least 1 year (consecutive).
- Have dated the person for at least 6 months.
10. Do not enter into or continue a relationship with anyone you are afraid of.
11. If you are in a situation where you unexpectedly feel frightened or unsafe, or if you are with someone who makes you feel this way, remove yourself to a safe location immediately. Do not disregard your instincts in this matter. Do not rationalize the feeling away.
12. Treat other people the way they wish to be treated, not the way you would want to be treated yourself.
13. Do not make decisions for other people.
There may be a few more, but I try to keep the list to a minimum. As I get older, I've increasingly realized that it's not the rules that are important, so much as the reason each was formed. Most important is recognizing the exceptions to each of these.