13 Rules Written by an Anarchist

For this article I really wanted to stay in my own mind and consider this a journal topic I've chosen to share. Creating a list of hard rules tends to form cultish or cliquish groups of people. I never want to be a person who has that sort of influence.

This list of rules was something created for myself to follow, mostly drafted up while on the road or out exploring. I am my own ruler and responsible for my actions. I hope to meet folks who are similar in nature and provide a list of rules for themselves, because like me, they own themselves.

In other words never mind the rules, I just want to know you are responsible enough to have any. This list is not meant to divide us, but to express a deep interest in self-ownership and responsibility.

1. Question everything, especially your reality.

There is a certain enlightenment that comes with evolving. This enlightenment can ironically send you into very dark places. I call it The Void. It's bigger than anything around you, and it is found within consciousness. All your real world worries are tiny in comparison to the vast space we are drawn up in. Life can begin to feel meaningless, and existence painful. This is the price you pay for enlightenment and self-awareness.

Self-awareness will show you where the lies are and what's truly important. Our system likes to scramble our minds and make us believe things that are simply not the natural order of evolving, stunting our growth and potential as a species. Control and power are what the rulers want, and what do they need to maintain those things? Blind obedience to a system that has you believing money is a real thing. The US dollar is nothing more than a piece of paper and your belief in it.

Let me make one thing clear, the idea of money is not the problem. I like the simplified exchange that money provides. The US Federal Reserve Note, which keeps our world from collapsing and is backed by nothing puts us in dangerous territory. Not to mention, keeps us all enslaved to the system it runs.

There are hidden truths like this all around us. It took me literally questioning everything I know to be true and looking with an honest eye at the facts that can free us all.

2. Make no assumptions!

I think it's quite simple don't make an ass out of you or me; it's not a fair game.

3. Be respectful, be kind, be prepared to kill anyone you meet.

I'll bet ya dollars to donuts being respectful and kind will get you around safely all on it's own. Don't get complacent and think all people are harmless, but also don't be so naive you believe you should fear so deeply you fail to live out your dreams. Be nice, smile, say hello, hold the door for the next person, even if they are a ways away. Make them do that little jog thingy, because it brings social interaction and overall friendliness. If that's the environment we all prefer, we have to create it. A self-aware society harbors a polite society.

Being prepared to kill anyone you meet requires an article on it's own, but I'll leave you with this: no matter how close to perfect we make our little world the law of averages suggests some of us are going to be bad guys. That doesn't mean you walk around AFRAID that someone in the crowd is a lurking sociopath waiting to pounce. It means you walk around PREPARED in case someone in the crowd is a lurking sociopath. Lots more on this in the future, so stay tuned.

4. Love yourself first.

Society can make it difficult to love ourselves. To find love for yourself you have to focus on yourself and your own life. Learn your strengths and weaknesses and strive to make yourself better each day.

Create new projects. The internet provides loads of opportunities to build something you're proud of and leave something of yourself behind. Pick up some old or new hobbies. Do whatever makes you feel good; if you're not happy keep searching. No matter your age. You matter. Your voice matters. You are worth your own love.

5. Think for yourself: use empathy and intuition, while learning critical thinking skills and logic. Research all opposing ideologies before forming social and political opinions and be open for change or simply difference.

We are humans with complex minds and different ideas and philosophies. This is what makes the human species so amazing. We have schools of thought and debates about who's right. You ever think it's possible that many schools are right and can work out their own issues as they arise? It's entirely possible to live and let live.

Educate yourself, don't listen to the propaganda fed to you by the media. Pay attention to it all, but don't take any of it for truth until you've done your research. Search different news outlets and find smaller independent journalists who are actually in the trenches.

I don't think it's possible to share the whole truth about some things; eg. government creates messy, confusing wars with little to no transparency. But, if you follow the white rabbit, you will start to see the truth. Truth creates changes in our society, but it's a challenge to unveil. Mindful revolution takes time and patience.

6. Align yourself with your principles while staying open to differences.

This follows the think for yourself rule. Stay true to who you are and how you think, but be flexible and allow others to stay true to themselves. Apply the live and let live philosophy here, and please, whatever it is you choose to be, don't be a hypocrite.

7. Aim to reach your full potential. No matter how old you are you still have room to grow. Keep going. Find yourself, again and again.

I feel no need to supply you with a hierarchy of needs, but I will say to find them, make them happen, and shoot for the goddamn stars! If you fail to make it, at least you can say you gave it your best try. After all, it's how you carry yourself after you make your way through hell that really counts.

8. Never stop growing, but never grow up!

How about I just rephrase this. Grow strong and wise, this will help you stay connected to the child within. Play as hard as you work.

9. Thank all service workers that cross your path, whether they directly served you or not.

This seems like common decency, but I'm amazed at how many people mistreat customer service workers, or deny their existence at all. We all need work, let's not place service workers beneath the rest of working society. We all deserve to be noticed and respected, and perhaps you can improve morale by noticing someone's hard work. You don't have to be their boss to improve their workplace; you as a customer play a big role in how their day goes. RESPECT.

10. Leave every place cleaner/better than when you came, especially if you used amenities given to you as a guest.

Don't you hate when you go up to that sink and the countertop uses your awesome band shirt as a rag? Not even cooool, maaaan. Don't you wish the last person who used it wiped it up, because really, who leaves a countertop dripping wet? LOTS!

What about that stall you just passed up all because it has a half-flushed seat cover sticking out the toilet, not to mention the awkward eye contact with that nutty rogue turd? Don't you wish the person responsible cleaned up their own shit so you didn't have to see that? For whatever reason, they failed, and my philosophy is, take a moment to clean up small messes so nobody else has to be victimized by someone else's Baby Ruth. Vom.

So please, the next time you see that gross stall, or soapy-wet counter, take one for team humanity and clean it up. Just be that person, you'll feel better that you are.

11. At the very least give back what you receive, maybe not immediately, but when it's your turn to pay it forward and you're able, DO IT!

People can be very giving and trusting out there. Give them reason to keep being kind and generous and believing in humanity. I'll say it again, just do it! You'll feel good that you did, and possibly instill some of your own much needed faith.

12. Stay organized and clean. Care for your things and have pride for the things you work so hard for.

This rule is so important for so many reasons. Staying organized will save you time, money, and a whole lot of frustration. One of the most important tips I can give is no matter how tired or busy you are put things back where they belong. This alone saves me so much time. You know how I know? When I slack off I find myself losing precious time searching for my keys, "where did I put those damn keys." Pretty soon my brain is all over the place and all I really needed to do is put the damn keys where they belong.

Organized environments keep you safer. You'll know where everything is if shtf and you have to bail. Keep your car organized when driving. A well kept car will help you stay comfortable, when you are on your seventh hour of driving and your tailbone feels likes it's about to split you a new bum; you'll know exactly where to find that bottle of Aleve.

Bottom line: keeping a clean, well organized environment ultimately makes for a smoother day, go with it!

13. Remember: as much as you are right, you're likely as much wrong. Keep it simple and use the 50/50 rule, especially if others are involved. Your truth is not the whole truth, shut up and listen.

Obviously facts are facts, but words are often defined differently. Stop, listen, and try to understand opposing sides. You'll be surprised what you might learn when you stop arguing and attempt to meet eye to eye.

So there you have it, an anarchist made a list of rules, a long one at that! My rebellious spirit breaks my own rules sometimes, and like us all far from perfect, but I set out for the best and see where it leads me. So far, mostly good places. I hope the same for you.

Good day to you all!

~ERRVoluntaryist
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