Evan's Rules

Every day we are bombarded by rules and regulations on how to behave in our daily lives. Most of the time I think we completely overthink these societal rules, distorting them into bones of contention instead of harmonious gestures. The basic rules we live by should serve to help and respect others as well as ourselves, not to promote our own selfish endeavors. They should aide in connecting people not alienating them based on our differences.

Last week my 6 year old nephew Evan attended a short meeting with his mother at her place of employment, a local Community College. She reminded him to be a good boy and when they arrived, Evan quietly (and without any assistance) set to work on a list of rules for the evening.

When I read these I realized why one of the college Deans had made copies and handed them out to colleages across the campus. Sometimes it takes a child to see things clearly.

Evan simplified "life's guidlines" and these are his rules:



In case you are not familiar with First Grade writing techniques:

1. Be quiet
2. Smile
3. Listen
4. Say Hello
5. Don't cry
6. Care about others
7. Help people
8. Take care of messes
9. Pay attention


Think about this list of rules. They are so insightful and pure. Sometimes being an adult complicates things unnecessarily, but thanks to Evan, we are able to see humanity through a child's eyes and apply these "rules" to our own daily lives.

Just imagine what the world would be like if we all followed "Evan's Rules".