12 Rules For Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson
This book is profound and is enlightening for the reader. Peterson’s words resonate with us because they are fined tuned towards speaking the truth. Seeking truth is one of the most, if not the most human aspiration. A delightful and entertaining read about narratives true to all people on God’s Earth.
Each time I read a passage, different points stand out to me and my preferences are dynamically changing. Here are my top Peterson picks as of Jan 2019!
“Don’t let your children do anything that would make you dislike them”
This is one of the more confronting phrases in the book and one which resonated with me the most in my journey as a young teacher. I had discovered that verbal discipline is inextricably linked with my role as a teacher. As much as I originally loathed disciplining children, I have now came to the realisation that it is necessary and to the benefit everyone that a proper system of rewards and consequences are in place. And I really mean everyone. Children need to learn how to behave properly in society so that they are able to contribute their skills and ideas. Disciplining a child may have short term pains, but it is undoubtedly for long term gains (gym reference!:))
The Female and the Male representing “Chaos and Order”
Recently, I asked my other half to describe me in one word. He said chaos. I was wondering if he had come up with this himself or if he had been listening to too much of Jordan Peterson’s YouTube videos (He is also a fan!).
It remains beyond me why symbolically females represent chaos and males represent order. Maybe it simply is. There is unpredictability in females and their choosy nature. From a biological perspective, it is relatively more time and resource heavy for a female to mate. Too much order or too much chaos is counter productive, but both are operating in any event. What does this mean? Expect that things can and could very well likely go wrong! Strategies and measures need to be placed to promote order. Smooth sailings of ships were once the exception and now they have become the norm because we have mitigated the risks through countless experiences and over a long period of time. Beware, this doesn’t mean that all risks have been eliminated.
“Place one foot in what you have mastered and understood and the other in what you are currently exploring and mastering”
Similar to many 20 somethings, I’ve pondered about what I should do with my life. After studying for many years in university and working in my industry for a year, I’ve wondered where my skills could be best served and where my interests truly lie. As complex creatures, we have many different interests that we wish to explore. It is, henceforth, very beneficial to dedicate time towards learning about our other interests, whilst still working our full time jobs. In this way, we are opening the doors of opportunity that we cannot yet see.
What an age that we live in wherein the only limit is that of which we’ve placed on ourselves.
“You must decide whether you want to be right or you want to have peace”
Confrontation in your close relationships is inevitable and good communication is irreplaceable. With emotions heightened, it is fairly easy to speak out of character. Choose the path of peace – it is the same as seeking truth. It takes courage to admit fault and discipline to rectifying our own behaviours.
“Set your sights at the Good, the Beautiful, and the True, and then focus pointedly and carefully on the concerns of each moment”
Be in the moment and don’t fault from your principles. The long and hard days will be the testimony of your character.
What did you think of these picks and how did you find Peterson’s book? I would love to hear from you!
