Twelve Rules for Life, by Jordan Peterson

I first became aware Jordan Peterson, psychology professor at the University of Toronto, when he came  under criticism for his statements against political correctness in Canada.  Since then, he as become a folk hero of the Right in the U.S., even though some of his views on Christianity and politics aren't quite in line with traditional American political conservatism. 

In 2012, he began taking part in Quora, a web site where people ask all sorts of questions and other users spout their opinions and still other users upvote the answers.  In response to the question, "What are the most valuable things everyone should know?" and generated a bunch of positive responses.  He refined that initial response into 12 "rules for life" and now has expanded the list into the book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.  I have listed the rules below.  If you don't want to read his book, at least read and reflect on these rules.  They're pretty straight forward and can impact the way you live and think.

If you like the rules you will love his book.  He expands on each rule in very personal, sometimes humorous, and usually profound ways.  Some themes persist throughout.  One is a rejection of the totalitarianism of Communist movements in the 20th century.  Peterson makes repeated reference to the dark, murderous results of Communist ideology--one of the primary sources of the chaos he refers to in the title.  Another theme is responsibility.  We must take responsibility for ourselves and those under our care and in our circles. 

Every rule has the potential to stick with you, and every chapter has multiple points of potentially profound revelation.  A highlight for me was Rule 4, Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with who someone else is today.  Under rule 1, he points out how few people in any field--music, writing, scientific inquiry, wealth--accomplish widespread success.  (Google Price's law.)  This idea frees me from the self-condemnation that can come from my feelings of inadequacy.  Peterson would say be proud of what you have accomplished and determine to improve each day.  This may be an over-simplification, but that's what I got out of it. . . .

Each of the rules and Peterson's discussion lends itself to self-discovery and challenge.  He writes with a lot of wisdom and wit.  Please, if you have a perception of Peterson that he's some kind of racist or radical right-winger, forget it.  He's not.  Here's what he is: a resource to offer solid advice for improving yourself and the world around you.

Rule 1 Stand up straight with your shoulders back

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

Rule 3 Make friends with people who want the best for you

Rule 4 Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with who someone else is today

Rule 5 Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them

Rule 6 Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world

Rule 7 Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)

Rule 8 Tell the truth – or, at least, don’t lie

Rule 9 Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t

Rule 10 Be precise in your speech

Rule 11 Do not bother children when they are skate-boarding

Rule 12 Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street