Creeds and Building a Path in the World

I did not make any New Year's resolutions. Like some other people, I started off this new year by looking over my personal creed. Over the years, I have learned how important a creed is. I put it into words years ago before I even met Kellog, who I call a spiritual teacher but who refers to himself as a "plumber." He is a teacher in the martial arts, KCD and sometimes emphasizes the importance of a creed. It is all about how you build your path in the world.

I remember why I first put my own personal beliefs into words. There was a community class I would teach. It was exploring childhood with exercises designed to bring out elements about yourself that you forget as an adult. These childhood tendencies often have great values. Because of the nature of the teachings, as a basis for the class, I would present my rules.

My rules are not about other people. These are my rules, although anyone is welcome to use them. I would make it clear that the rules were "for me" and as time went by each student would probably develop their own creeds to live by. Even if a creed is not formalized in writing, chances are it is somewhere inside of each person.

I found my rules had value in being shared. The students know by looking at the rules I live by that I was am not about to hold them down in any way. This set my teachings into perspective and also is intended to encourage people to explore their own mind fully. I also encouraged people to eventually record their own "Golden Rules." I know plenty of people out there have their own creeds too. Maybe you would care to share?

I posted my creed on the internet for awhile and laughed at the notes that came up in the search engines. It was short and sweet... something like:

Golden Rules?

(I find the question mark very special.)

I never changed my rules or rewrote them for many years now. They could probably use a little tweaking and to be worded better, but I thought that I would leave them the way they are for remembrance.

Well here they are! (Feel free to skip to the bottom of the link if it is too much yada-yada for ya!)

Golden Values

EVERYONE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEMSELVES, ESPECIALLY THEMSELVES! When everything is going well, be happy for good fortune. When problems occur, take responsibility for actions, past, present and future. Face the problems knowing that they have occurred because of decisions you made. This is even if the mistake occurred because of someone else’s mistake that affected you. Deal with problems directly.

OBSTACLES ARE REALLY LEARNING EXPERIENCES. Approach obstacles as learning experiences. Learning from errors and obstacles will bring more satisfaction than making the same mistakes over and over again.

GIVE, GIVE, GIVE, THEN GIVE SOME MORE! Being responsible for yourself does not mean not to help others! The more given, the more received. (A rule dating back to the bible!) This is a lesson easily learned by experience.

DON’T EXPECT TO RECEIVE FROM THE SAME SOURCE GIVEN TO! Most discover the unexpected outcome is experiencing benefits in unexpected ways. The more people who give, the better place we all are. Be an angel. Help someone secretly, do a good, anonymous deed. Enjoy the sweetness of life, letting everyday contain surprises for you and others. Consider the quality of your life its own reward.

ALWAYS TREAT OTHERS WITH RESPECT. We teach our children not to talk to strangers. The bible says, "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 (NIV). One day you may be the "angel." This does not mean to enter into dangerous situations. It does mean that everyone should be responded to as a real person no matter who they are, who there were, or who they are going to be. So often, who someone really is, is a wonderful secret.

THINK ABOUT QUALITIES OTHERS POSSESS. You may discover a quality within yourself that you are quick to notice in others. Another discovery could be that you do not possess enough of this quality. These characteristics may be ones that attract you or bother you, but they stand out for some reason. Look at others as a mirror of yourself. A different kind of mirror. A mirror of what you are and what you are not. Everyone has the potential to feel the same things and learned to feel the way they do now.

USE POSITIVE EXPRESSION. Individuals tend not to respond to negativity. Think back to times in your own life when, although someone was giving you good advice, it was not done in a pleasant way. When you are positive, individuals wish to respond to you and will consider more what you say. They will also be drawn to you because everyone loves a winner!

DO NOT LET OTHERS MAKE MISTAKES. When an error occurs or is about to happen, stop it or undo it gracefully. Never obviously correct someone unless there is danger involved. These actions build trust and friendship.

GIVE AND RECEIVE PRAISE EASILY. No matter how little, every good deed should receive acknowledgement. Say thanks! Praise also keeps people responding to you and keeps the cycle of give, give, give going! Accept praise graciously.

LEARN THE RULES. Many societies have very complex rules for behavior that everyone must learn and follow. In our culture individuals tend to have more freedom. However, equally complex rules, that we must learn and follow, remain. However, these rules are not as well defined as they are in some other cultures. Many times someone is doing everything almost perfectly, but it is the "almost" part that is preventing success. When you discover an obstacle, try to learn all about the values and unwritten "rules" surrounding it.

WHEN YOU WIN, MAKE SURE EVERYONE WINS. If everyone wins when you win, the more you win. The more everyone wins. The more people will let you win!

LEARNING THE RULES DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL OF THEM. Like chess, the more rules you learn, the more you can win. Also, remember-- not every rule may be right for you. Sometimes success is found because someone is "unconventional" and is able to try a new way. Learning the "rules" and the dynamics around them, explains reactions and gives an individual more information to deal with.

EXPERIMENT AND EXPLORE!!! Don’t be afraid to make a mistake. Weigh the possible outcomes: The best and the worst of what can happen. If the possible outcome is terrible, don't try it if it is too much for you to overcome!!! Studies have shown that when people experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them, the more successful they tend to become. (Economic Studies: "Games in Economics and Business," by Roy Gardner, "Thinking Strategically, " by Dixit and Nalebuff.)

ASK FOR HELP. Special people enjoy being recognized for what they have to give, and are often very willing to spread their wealth of knowledge. Ask people you know that can help you. Networking is a very positive experience for both parties if it is sincere.

FIND BALANCE. Prioritize so that you find a balance between mind, spirit, and body for yourself. There is always time for everything that is important. Find outlets for self-expression, health, career success, and spiritual happiness measured by your own criteria.

LEARN FROM OTHERS. It is easier to learn from others than to make the same mistakes yourself (in theory). If you believe that everything happens for a reason, think about why you may be hearing about this problem. Use the information positively. Perhaps you can avoid making the same errors.

BE A TEACHER. Teach others around you indirectly by being a role model. Isn’t that how we learned to love? Teach directly, when you feel that others are ready to learn or when in the position of teacher. There is great value in being a teacher. The teacher teachers, and the teacher learns by teaching. Do not forget to learn by teaching. As Joe Hyams states in his book "Zen and the Martial Arts", "Even masters have masters and are all learners."

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO EXCEL. Be happy for every successful person around you. Be happy for their successes. If you have taught someone to excel, do not try to remain "the best" by holding someone back. Let others grow to their full abilities. The most skillful masters in the world have proud teachers. Savor the joyful feeling like a proud parent. Give everyone around you your support.

I would like to thank everyone who gives me what I need even when it is yuccy.

My cat, for teaching everyone that it does not matter if you are a cat and you want to live your life as a dog.

Every teacher I ever had, whether they are called a teacher or not.

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Kellog's Creed Kellog posts and has a lot of his writings on the group called "The Spiritual Learning Center" or simply SLC. He has ten parts of his creed posted at the link. The Yellow Brick Road Series also at that link speaks about the creed and its value according to Kellog, which I have found to be true. If you are interested in philosophies, it is great! (No one has to actually join in order to read the site information. Everyone is welcome to join and participate too!)

Do You Have a Creed? This is a related post on Witangemot (another site) related to the same subject. Most of the people who responded have been Kellog's students at one time or another, or at least know him. (I am not sure if one must be a member at this particular site to see this link)

These teachings have been great for me, and helped me out a lot through my injuries after my car accident. It is also good to know, that one of the rules is not to "let anyone rule over your mind." This means no groupies allowed. I have found a personal creed enhances development in every way by recognizing my own personal values and ways.

Perhaps you are interested in sharing your personal creed or just one or two really good ways that you live by?