A Basic Manual for Life, Chapter 1: Section 1
non-fiction, self-help
Published on:
February 28, 10:41pmWord Count:
1112Last Edited:
February 28, 10:49pmWork Description
Originally written for our son, A Basic Manual for Life, is broken down into six sections each with four to five lessons. The lessons are topics we felt our son would need guidance for during his everyday life. We give our thoughts and ideas along with famous quotes on issues such as Selfishness, Relationships, Originality, Insecurity and Virtue for each lesson.
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Lesson 1: Originality- State of not being a derivative of anything else.
“We are obliged to regard many of our original minds as crazy at least until we have become as clever as they are.” ~George C. Lichtenberg
Always look at the world in a different light. Your way is the best way for you. My way might not be right for you or your situation, but it works for me. Find the best way for you even if it seems bizarre to others. Before anyone with a new idea was called a genius, they were called insane. You have your own voice that is original to you. No matter how hard you try, you will never be exactly like someone else.
There are no two identical snowflakes.
God loves diversity. Nothing is exactly like anything else. One thing may look sound and act like another, but if you look closely, there are differences. Like snowflakes, if you give an overall view they all look the same, but if you compare any two underneath a microscope you can see the subtle differences in structure. The same is true of human beings. No one human being is exactly like the other. It is these differences that keep the world interesting. How boring would the planet be if everyone did the same thing, if they knew the same things, and felt the same way as everyone else does? It would be like watching a television that played the same show on every channel.
Lesson 2: Perception- Acquiring, interpreting, selecting and organizing sensory information.
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.” ~Albert Einstein
Perception is your way of viewing the world. You can see the world in any way you wish. It’s all about how you look at it. If you think the world is bad, it is. If on the other hand you think that it is a good place, it is. The world is only what you make of it. Both sides are there, but it is the side you choose to look at that rules your day. You can look at anything and point out the good or bad in it. Whichever one you focus on is what it will be.
Would you prefer to constantly see the bad or to look for the good?
Lesson 3: Acceptance- Without exclusion.
“Accept everything about yourself—I mean everything, you are you and that is the beginning and the end—no apologies, no regrets.” ~Clark Moustakas
Know that things are not going to go the way you want or picture them to go. Know that there are situations that are beyond your control. Know that all things happen for a reason. Although you might not understand why they happen they will still happen. Accept that no one will live up to your expectations. Nothing will turn out perfectly as you planed it, but it will turn out for the best.
You must remember that you will make mistakes, you will be afraid, embarrassed, confused, you will think and do bad things. Accept that you are who you are, by doing this you will be able to accept other people and events in your life.
Nothing goes forth without God saying go forth and be. The things that were done, had to be done. Accept that what you might consider a failure, as instead, a step towards your personal growth.
Accept that God governs all things.
Accept all things as a gift, and they will be.
Lesson 4: Energy- E=MC<sup>2</sup>
“Once we recognize that all matter is actually energy, we can
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Nothing in there with which to argue; all great advice and thoughts. I'm interested to learn at what age you gave these lessons to your son and what his feedback has been. I think the quotes you have used are appropriate not just to the sections to which you've assigned them, but in an overall sense as well.
The only nagging thought that came to my mind as I read this was how, in one section, you have written about the uniqueness of each individual, and then in the closing section you have written how everything is alike. I understand that is seeing things in the broadest sense, but depending on the age of the individual reading it, might seem like a conflict to them as well. I realize in the first instance, you are speaking about the individuality of the mind and spirit where in the second instance you are talking about the physical body; I am just thinking perhaps if you indicated that directly in each section, it would alleviate any conflict of understanding.
Thank you for putting this piece available to be read.
This sort of reminds me of life itself. Life has rules and they need to be followed in order to get through it. I also appreciate how you do these rules of life like a book. You should do this into a novel one day. Here are my ideas on how your son can be a successful young gentleman in the clutches of life itself for your later chapters.
1. Choose Who You Want To Be - Who you want to be is your occupation in life. You can be anyone you desire to be at your heart's whim. A fireman, the president of the United States etc. However, be very careful of who you want to choose, because you should be satisfied of who you are.
2. Don't Expect Everything To Go Your Way- As said before don't expect the world to either revolve around you and go your way. The world is not at your whim. Say, If you wanted a piece of chocolate and your mom (or dad) says no, then don't lash out on how they don't want to give you what you want -- that's life. This is a foretaste of what may happen later in life.
3. Life Isn't Easy- Life is not an easy thing. You have very important responsibilities you need to fulfill as the duties of a normal living human being. Life is definitely not taking candy from a baby -- expect it as a challenge. Sure, sure, life can be cruel, but hey that is how it is for everybody. So don't fuss and aybe you should go on about your lifestyles, with the thought in mind that life can be easy at first but hard in the end. Just take it.
I believe this will be a great piece to behold by those around you: You in your home, family, friends, and people on scribophile. And maybe this can be a New York Times Bestseller. I wish good luck in your will to make such a novel such as this. Take care and publish your work, because, someday I will read them. Keep it up, Robertandmarieparker! I wish to hear from you on my scratchpad sometime soon! And maybe if you want I'll publish some of the chapters for you if that is okay.