Life lessons
Chapter 19: Life is simpler when we know what’s necessary
“Here’s my secret,
a very simple secret:
Only you can see what’s right.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Some simple rules
Thousands of years ago,
Confucius once said that:
“Life is actually very simple,
we just insist on making it more complicated.”
Einstein also said:
“I always do my research in the simplest way.
We live in a complicated world,
that doesn’t mean we have to live a complicated lifestyle.”
Yet we often spend too much time struggling
with the complexity of life
while ignoring its simplicity.
During my first year of college,
I met Hal DeJulio,
a man who found a simple way to lead a happy life.
He is a successful alumnus who often returns to school to visit students.
He is very smiling
and always has a positive attitude in his view.
He always puts his working spirit on top,
is optimistic,
loves life and talks with wit and grace.
Then we made friends.
I discovered more and more interesting in him.
I asked, “What makes you able to live so happily?”.
He replied that he was successful early on,
but he realized that making money wasn’t everything,
and he felt he needed to do something to maintain order in his life.
So he took some time to write down a list of things
that were important to him.
The original list had many things,
but the more he looked at it,
the more he shortened it.
In the end there are only six things left
– the most necessary things,
which can only be seen
and felt with the heart.
Then he pulled out his wallet
and showed me a small card lying inside.
“When I shrink that list down to six things,
I write them down
and call them the simple rules of life,” he said.
I promise to open it every day
and live by these rules.”
Now nearly eighty,
he still follows those immutable rules,
and he is still passionate about this life.
Simple rules of life
1. Have a positive attitude in any situation.
Have a positive outlook and always be grateful for life.
2. Build your life on a foundation of respect.
Be kind to your loved ones and friends and be kind to everyone.
Look for the best in everyone,
myself included.
3. Take integrity as the foundation of your life.
Live by the rules of fairness
and honesty in all circumstances.
4. Accept the difficulties and challenges of life.
Work hard every time you embark on anything.
If you fail,
have the courage to try again.
5. Be passionate about learning.
The more you discover about life and the world,
the better it is for you.
Think of it as a process for your own experience.
6. Live happily.
Remember that a happy life cannot be without faith and smiles.
“People will find it difficult to find true happiness
if they still do not understand some simple rules of life.”- Og Mandino