Where is part One? Just out of general curiosity?
I do *think* i understand, to a great extent, what you are succintly trying to make a point regarding with Part 2 - but of course correct me if i am
off on my own mad dash on your dime.
i've done it before and certainly will do it again.
I have basically lived my whole 38 years doing according to what felt 'right' to me on an exclusive and absolute level; as much as possible and of
course circumstances dictate but my parents were totally willing to me to follow my course and after that i pretty much didn't stay too long in
situations which interfered with my perogative to follow my inner voice...
And like you mention, many get this confused with wanton lack of self-discipline or lack of courtesy, empathy, or even responsibility toward the other
beings on the planet...but in reality i have found that it is only when i listen to others or worry about what OTHER people think about me more than
what i see in my eyes when i look in the mirror every day
(always somehow 'answering' to myself or maybe it is what most people call God but i
don't see God in the mirror unless God sees me in his mirror, LOL)
anyway...when i listen to THEM and not to ME/WE...i usually end up hurting others, hurting self, damaging personal goals or those of my loved ones or
neighbors...IOW i F%#k up when i don't do according to what 'sits well' with myself.
The older i get the less i feel inclined to offer explanations for my choices much less seek approval - anymore by the time any of my own decisions
develop to the point of affecting others, i have things thought out enough that it seems no one even notices i had decisions or thresholds to
cross.
And i can honestly say i have absolutely no regrets whatsoever and i really don't have much stress. i don't hurt others and slow and steady seems
to win both the race and help others along, too - without anyone noticing which is also preferable to me as far as being left alone to do what 'feels
right for me.'
Bugs Bunny first gave me the axiom 'to thine own self be true' and i really think it is one of the most prudent policies a person can apply to
life....
mine basically are
1.
be honest (live in integrity which means trying not to lie even to self)
2.
do not judge others but instead but yourself in their shoes and see why they do what they do - we all have our reasons and they usually
aren't about anyone but ourselves which leads to
3.
don't take anything personal unless it comes from yourself
(as mom says 'you aren't the only fish in the sea' - works for
both egoism and paranoia! )
4.
(much like 3) mind your own business which means take care of what is yours fully and let everyone else do the same....they will if
you let them and if you are busy with your own life you won't feel so obliged to meddle.
5.
if someone needs help then help...if they need a ride give them one...this one in practice totally proves karma as the law of balance over
all life...never let someone walk and you'll never have to walk very far yourself...even in 2 foot of snow 40 miles from BFE!
6. Even though #5 gives returns NEVER expect any....ever...of any sort. Never give in order to get.
Give to give.
7. Look yourself in the mirror FOR REAL at least once each day - not the same as when you brush your teeth - but look into your own eyes and see who
you are and make sure you are man enough to meet yourself head on...when you can't, then you must make a change because you aren't lining up with
you principles...and the beginning of compromise is the start of an insidious decline that you may never have the chance to even SEE again if you
don't SEE it the first time. Warning: it will hurt, though - but it is cauterization whereas compromise is more like insidious cancer than never
hurts just eats away at what is alive inside you...maybe i should say a malignant tapeworm
(but that is a really vividly gross thought
yuk)...
okay
duh i see you put a link for part one so i'll read that and maybe come back here or say something there. maybe these should have gone there?