The Ten Amendments

 

The ten commandments endure as a foundation for morality, after thousands of years.  But just like the American Constitution, from time to time we need to add amendments to them.  The ten commandments are a short list, and that is a very good thing.  They mostly tell us what not to do, giving us the freedom to do most everything else. 

But not everything else is so wonderful.  In every time, in every life, we need to make additional lists for spiritual and moral guidance.  Things we need to do, or to avoid, to amend our lives and mend our relationships. 

Here I offer a list of such amendments.  They are my own ethical “marching orders”:
 
1.  Thou shalt be amazed by the good in people.
2.  Thou shalt avoid judgment of others.
3.  Thou shalt not injure others with sarcasm.
4.  Thou shalt not jump to conclusions.
5.  Thou shalt attend to details in serving others.
6.  Thou shalt make realistic promises and keep them.
7.  Thou shalt have clear priorities for thy time and attention, for thy body, mind, and heart, and thou shalt act on these priorities.
8.  Thou shalt wait 24 hours before doing or saying anything negative about another person.
9.  Thou shalt not say “yes” when thou meanest “no”.
10.  Thou shalt ask before acting.

Each one of these amendments reflects my own failure to follow it!  The list reflects the ways my life needs to change for the better, in outward actions and inward intentions....

What's your list of "ten amendments"?

 

(And here's a list!  from "musings" reader and friend, Yanna McLaughlin:)

 1.Thou shalt honor and protect all of god's creations (nature and all living beings), air, water and soil

2. Thou shalt preserve the earth's crust (don't extract anything from below)

3. Thou shalt empower and share with those less fortunate than yourself

 

4. Thou shalt seek to partcipate in advancing your community's wellbeing

 

5. Thou shalt work with nature (and not against it)

 

6. Thou shalt teach everyone the things you know that help protect our and our children's futures

 

7. Thou shalt protect the climate and the world's ecosystems

 

8. Thou shalt believe in the good of people 

 

9. Thou shalt only borrow/take/own what you need for as long as you need it and ensure it keeps having a purpose when you are done with it

 

10. Thou shalt love life and share gratitude every day

 

 

(And another!  from my friend and "musings" reader, Susan Kirsch:)

 

My ten Amendments for healthy living, taken from American folk wisdom and inspired by Jim Burklo:

1. Thou shalt take time to smell the roses.  
2. Thou shalt not sweat the small thing—and from the eternal perspective, it’s all small things.  
3. Thou shalt treat others like you want to be treated.  
4. Thou shalt be willing to initiate what you want in your life, relationships, careers, all things.  
5. Thou shalt not put off ‘til tomorrow what you can start today.  
6. Thou shalt be willing to make mistakes, try again, and keep risking and learning.  
7. Thou shalt be patient with yourself as you are patient with others.  
8. Thou shalt never let a moment for love pass with the deception “there’s not enough time.”  
9. Thou shalt celebrate lifetime courage to take baby steps.  
10. Thou shalt affirm the good and be unattached to the outcomes.  

 

 

 

JIM BURKLO

Blog: MUSINGS

Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, University of Southern California

 

 

Blog: MUSINGS

Senior Associate Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life, University of Southern California