Excellent Rule #1… however, I don't think it's universal. One of my dad's favorite words was "apoptosis" (which I've written about on my own "museletter" elsewhere). The idea is that cells are "programmed" to die at the right time; for example, the cells that hold a leaf to the branch have to basically suicide in order for the leaf to fall. Apoptosis is critical for the survival of the larger system. So I'd change the rule to: "Don't die… until the right time."
I like the rule. I have not written rules but in the past when I write down priorities my health is at the top, same idea different words. If I am not healthy I can’t focus on my other priorities or help others. Put your oxygen mask on first type of rule.
You could also expand it to be don’t let your family, kids, pets, friends, community, earth die.
I like that. Health is a nicer, more positive way of saying what I was trying to say. I'm always so dramatic!
I think part of it is reading these books and opinions about philosophy and they all assume so much about the state of your life. That's why this has been my first rule. It also makes me laugh for some reason I can't fully explain.
I too like Bertrand Russell. I believe he once said that education should give you a vast sense of time so that by realizing how precious civilization is you resolve not to screw it up. In that vein, Bill Maher had a smart guest (on Youtube) who opined (without mentioning Russell) that the reason certain famous powerful nerds were so irresponsible was that they had dropped out of college before obtaining such perspective.
disagree. I never start out a day or year or round of beers with the priority of not surviving. death was hanging over your head would be a sad way to live. death is going to happen, which I do see as a good thing in the big picture. that helps me set my #1 priority - to live my life with friends and family and making memories.
Excellent Rule #1… however, I don't think it's universal. One of my dad's favorite words was "apoptosis" (which I've written about on my own "museletter" elsewhere). The idea is that cells are "programmed" to die at the right time; for example, the cells that hold a leaf to the branch have to basically suicide in order for the leaf to fall. Apoptosis is critical for the survival of the larger system. So I'd change the rule to: "Don't die… until the right time."
Yes - This is more of what I intended the rule to mean - even though it clearly was not clear in what I wrote :) Thanks for this.
I like the rule. I have not written rules but in the past when I write down priorities my health is at the top, same idea different words. If I am not healthy I can’t focus on my other priorities or help others. Put your oxygen mask on first type of rule.
You could also expand it to be don’t let your family, kids, pets, friends, community, earth die.
I like that. Health is a nicer, more positive way of saying what I was trying to say. I'm always so dramatic!
I think part of it is reading these books and opinions about philosophy and they all assume so much about the state of your life. That's why this has been my first rule. It also makes me laugh for some reason I can't fully explain.
I too like Bertrand Russell. I believe he once said that education should give you a vast sense of time so that by realizing how precious civilization is you resolve not to screw it up. In that vein, Bill Maher had a smart guest (on Youtube) who opined (without mentioning Russell) that the reason certain famous powerful nerds were so irresponsible was that they had dropped out of college before obtaining such perspective.
Oh yes, very much love this 😍
Thanks Sarah
disagree. I never start out a day or year or round of beers with the priority of not surviving. death was hanging over your head would be a sad way to live. death is going to happen, which I do see as a good thing in the big picture. that helps me set my #1 priority - to live my life with friends and family and making memories.
I agree with you - which suggests the way I wrote this or the rule itself didn't capture that.
I'd say what I mean here is to start out the day feeling grateful for being alive and knowing it will end (momento mori).
To me it's funny to have a rule that says "don't die (yet)" because of how many assumtions all of these other rules make.
I like what David wrote above: that all things die and that's good and ok.
LOVE THIS. It's *your* rules to live by. Thanks for such a thoughtful answer to my clumsy first rule.
I'm also a huge fan of Bertrand Russell. I've read some of his books more than once.