12 Rules for Life (Jordan B. Peterson) - Rule 2

Rule 2 – Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping

In the past 'being' was understood more as a story or a drama rather than an objective reality, manifesting itself moment to moment in the consciousness of every living person. Being is the drama of lived experience – the unique, tragic, personal death of your father, compared to the objective death listed in the hospital records.

Two assertions made by Jesus were, “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”, and, “love your neighbour as yourself”. What needs to be realised about these statements is that neither of them have anything to do with being nice. A relationship can only be strong when both partners are strong. If you are a friend, a family member, a lover, then you are morally obliged to bargain as hard on your own behalf as they are on theirs. It is equally important to embrace and love yourself as it is to forgive and aid someone else in need. Your being is intertwined with those around you, mistreating yourself can have harsh consequences on them as well as you.

You should take care of, help and be good to yourself the same way you would take care of, help and be good to someone you loved and valued. You need to consider what would be truly good for you, look to the future and think, “What might my life look like if I were caring for myself properly? What career would challenge me and render me productive and helpful, so that I could shoulder my share of the load, and enjoy the consequences? What should I be doing, when I have some freedom, to improve my health, expand my knowledge, and strengthen my body?”

You must determine where you are going, so that you can bargain for yourself, so that you don't end up resentful, vengeful and cruel. You have to articulate your own principles, so that you can defend yourself against others' taking inappropriate advantage of you, and so that you are secure and safe while you work and play. You must discipline yourself carefully. You must keep the promises you make to yourself so that you are most likely to become and to stay a good person. It would be good to make the world a better place.

Don't underestimate the power of vision and direction. These are irresistible forces, able to transform what might appear to be unconquerable obstacles into traversable pathways and expanding opportunities. “He whose life has a why can bear almost any how”.

Treat yourself as if you were someone you were responsible for helping.