life rules essay

10 Rules To Live by for More Success, Happiness, and Freedom [Updated]

THE #1 secret for achieving more success, happiness, and freedom in every area of your life is to develop a core set of “personal rules to live by.”

I know it might sound counterintuitive, but after building five 7-figure businesses in five different industries, I’m convinced that it’s true.

And the reason is simple.

Personal rules give you a foundational structure by which to live your life.

They eradicate indecision, temptation, and distraction and, paradoxically, create more freedom for you to do the things you love.

It’s one of the reasons why I love vegans and vegetarians (even as someone who spent $2,500 on a ridiculous steak dinner with my buddy Bedros Keuilian!)

When you’re a vegan, you live by the personal rule that “Under no circumstances will I ever eat meat.”

It’s not, “Well, I probably  shouldn’t  eat meat…buttt everyone else is having a burger so I’ll indulge just this once.”

No. You do not eat meat. Ever.

It’s just part of who you are.

And this is the same type of structure I want to help you build in your life.

When you take the time to develop your own rules to live by, everything in your life becomes easier. You no longer have to ‘think’ about the decisions and opportunities in your life…instead you have a clear set of operating principles that make everything automatic.

If you have the personal rule that you don’t hit the snooze button (and you truly live by that rule), you never have to sit in bed and negotiate “Just five more minutes” with yourself.

You wake up, turn off your alarm, and get to work. Period.

And in this essay, I’m going to share  my  personal rules to live by and the overarching philosophy that guides my life.

My 10 Personal “Rules to Live By”

These rules are not ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ and they may or may not be appropriate for your life. But they’ve served me well over the past 20 years and have been critical to the successes I’ve enjoyed.

My goal in writing this is not to tell you what you should do. But rather to motivate and encourage you to develop your own operating principles and use them to live a better, more productive, and happier life.

Whether you adopt my rules or not, I challenge you to think about this topic deeply and consider how a few “set in stone” non-negotiable rules could have a profound and lasting impact on the quality of your life.

1. Committment to a Consistent Wake Up Time

For years, I operated by the rule that “I go to bed and wake up at the same time 7 days per week” (8 pm and 4 am respectively).

However, more recently, I realized that this particular rule was unnecessarily restrictive. And, after reading  Why We Sleep , by Matthew Walker, I also realized that it wasn’t healthy.

Today, I’ve modified this rule to fit my new listyle and committed to simply waking up at the same time everyday.

This rule not only helps me stay consistent in my schedule (and allows me to attack my deep work blocks every workday), but gives me more energy and motivation than I’ve ever had before.

I challenge you to try it out for a month.

Whether you join the 5 am club or the 7 am club or even the 9 am club doesn’t matter. Just commit to waking up at the same time every day of the week and see how your life changes.

2. Daily Deep Work (Writing) 

I have, quite literally, made my millions through the power of the written word.

From sales pages to email copy to my best-selling books, all of my business ventures have lived and died on my ability to put words on a page that motivate my audience to take action.

As such, I follow the personal rule that I write for at least 60-minutes first thing  every  morning without fail.

No matter what type of work you do, committing to this type of consistent daily deep work will have a profound impact on your business and result in more money, less stress, and more fulfillment.

3. The “No Email” Rule 

For years, I would wake up, check my email, and immediately get sucked into the vortex that is my inbox.

This caused me to start my days from a negative and reactive state and I knew I needed to make a change.

So I implemented the personal rule that “I do not check email before 11 am and don’t take phone calls before 10 am”.

The result has been more focus and productivity during my “ magic time ” and infinitely less stress and overwhelm.

No matter what your business is, I encourage you to set a strict personal rule around how you handle emails and other forms of communication.

It will protect your time, sanity, and success.

4. Be Polite and Corteous (and Don’t Swear) 

I’ll be honest with you…

Hanging out with my friends like Bedros Keuilian and Jason Capital, makes living by this rule a challenge.

But I still do it.

A few years ago, back in the day when I still swore like a sailor and punctuated every thought or comment with an aggressive f-bomb, I realized that I was misaligned.

I never swore in front of my family or in the content I wrote for Early to Rise…so why would I do it in my daily life?

I committed to my “no swearing” rule (with the help of my trusty swear jar) and within a few months, was able to articulate my ideas without resorting to profanity.

5. Proper Planning and Preparation 

One of the personal rules to which I attribute most of my success is my committment to proper planning and preparation.

At the end of everyday, I use my Perfect Day Formula Kit to plan my days and update my daily gratitude and achievment journal.

And it’s literally changed my life.

When you wake up knowing exactly what needs to be accomplished and why, everything runs smoother. Your days are more productive, effective, and fulfilling and you eliminate the dead time from your schedule.

6. My “No Confrontation” Rule 

99% of the time, confronatations, either in-person or online are a waste of time and energy.

And I refuse to allow menial arguments to steal my energy or happiness.

If I’ve caused harm to someone, I apologize and fix the situation. If someone on my team or in my life has over stepped a boundary or failed to meet an expectation, I communicate it as cordially and politely as possible.

But I don’t waste time with trolls or haters. And I never will.

7. My Guiding Lights 

There are two phrases that guide my life…

“Nothing Matters” and “It will all be over soon”.

Simply put, I can only work toward my big goals and vision when I silence the noise and remember that other people’s opinions (meaning the opinions of the masses…not my mentors or board of advisors) don’t matter and that, no matter how much I accomplish…my time is limited.

These ideas help me stay centered and calm in the midst of chaos and ensure that I’m always focused on what’s  really  important instead of vanity metrics of ego-driven desires.

8. Full Responsibility 

I believe, and have created a “personal rule to live by” that EVERYTHING in my life–good and bad–is my responsibility.

Even if a situation isn’t necessarily my fault…I am still the person responsible for finding the solution.

If an employee drops the ball on a big project, it was my responsibility to train them or communicate my expectations.

If someone violates a boundary, it’s my responsibility to communicate and reinforce that boundary.

When you take full responsibility for your life, you get out of the passengers seat and into the driver’s seat.

Blame has no place in the life of an Operator .

9. The Person I Don’t Want to Be 

Another personal rule I always try to live by is “That I will not be the person I don’t want to be.”

Pettiness, jealousy, and envy don’t drive me toward the life I desire or help me make progress toward my big goals. Gossip and bad mouthing do nothing to serve me.

As such, I don’t allow them in my life.

10. Keep the Child Alive 

As an entrepreneur and high-performer, it’s easy to fall into the trap of taking yourself and your life too seriously.

To be too rigid in the way you live, to avoid fun and adventure in favor of “hustle and grind”.

But, as Oscar Wilde said, “Life is far too short to be taken so seriously.”

Every day and week, I do  something  to keep the child inside of me alive.

Whether it’s singing karoke to Living on a Prayer in front of 200 people, wrestling with my dog Daisy, or spending the night watching one of my favorite comedians deliver an epic stand up, I’m constantly trying to inject more fun and aliveness into each day.

Because life is short. And it’s important to enjoy the ride while it lasts.

Conclusion: What Are YOUR Personal Rules to Live By? 

Right now, you’re likely having one of two reactions.

You’re either dismissing what I’ve shared today (and me), which is ok.

Or, something just ‘clicked’.

High achievers will understand the value of these philosophies and how each rule I’ve shared can improve and enhance some area of their lives.

But like I said before…

The purpose of this list is to stimulate YOUR thinking about the rules that will transform YOUR life .

So now, I’m curious…

What are your top 3 personal rules for life? Are there any rules on this list you’re going to implement? Any that sound completely crazy?

Let me know in the comments below.

If you want my help… 

…Becoming more disciplined, developing your own set of personal rules, increasing your income, and working a  lot  less…

Then I want to invite you to apply for my “Millionaire Coaching Case Study”.

My goal is to help 1,000 entrepreneurs double their income while working 10 fewer hours a week and to help at least 100 of those entrepreneurs make their first million.

If you control your income and you’re willing to put in the work, be coachable, and take massive action on the strategies and systems I’ll share with you…

…Then send an email to [email protected] with the subject line “I’m interested” and I’ll send you all the details to see if you’re qualified.

Craig Ballantyne

If you want to double your income, work less, and become the ambitious millionaire you've always wanted to be... Craig Ballantyne is the coach who will help you do it. With more than 20-years of experience as an entrepreneur and five 7-figure businesses under his belt, he specializes in helping "struckling" entrepreneurs get out of the mud and build the business of their dreams. To see if you qualify for Craig's "Millionaire Coaching Program" send an email to [email protected] with the subject line "Millionaire".

101 Life Principles To Live By Daily

• by Celes     |    
• Filed in Self-Improvement

Do you have a personal manual of life principles to live by? What adages do you use to guide you in your everyday living?

Today, I’d like to share a list of 101 important life principles to live by in life. This list is a compilation of important life lessons I’ve learned at one point or another and it pertains to different areas of life from dealing with people, to our emotions, to life’s challenges, to achieving success, to handling failure. I’d say that this list is like a cheat sheet to many of the articles at Personal Excellence, because it embodies many of the principles and virtues I write about here.

Even though this list has 101 points, don’t overwhelm yourself by reading and applying all the points right away. These principles are meant to be read and reflected on over time, as opposed to being a checklist that you tick off. As you read each point, think about the truth behind this principle, how it applies to your life, and the actions you should take in accordance to this principle.

For example, with the first principle “ Ability is more of a function of the time you spend honing your craft, rather than a result of what you were born with,” think about the skills that are important in your work and life. Next, identify ways you can hone them. Then, commit to these steps with a deadline and act on them. :)

Another example: with the second principle on “ Abundance ,” think about whether you tend to act with a scarcity or an abundance mindset. Do you always fear that you can’t succeed, or that people are going to rip you off, or that you won’t get enough of something? This is a scarcity, fear-based mindset. How can you switch to an abundance mindset, which is a mindset that helps you focus on opportunities, love, and abundance, such that you can then create such an outcome for yourself?

I now present to you 101 life principles, written by yours truly:

• Abundance : We live in a world of abundance. There are unlimited wealth and unlimited opportunities for everyone. So don’t worry about whether you can succeed in something and focus on how to succeed in it.
• Action : is a necessary part of success.
• “And”, not “Or” : It’s not about choosing Option A or Option B. It’s about Option C – an option you create which has everything you want, and more.
• Anger : is the most volatile form of emotion you can ever burden yourself with. Every bit of anger you hold on to damages your soul. Whenever you feel angry, remember that the person you are hurting is yourself.
• Annoyances : Everything that annoys you mirrors something inside you. Rather than look outward for the solution, look inside to understand where that annoyance is coming from. Read: Day 22: Mirror an Annoyance,  Be a Better Me in 30 Days

• Awareness : is the first step to the resolution of any problem.
• Beauty : Physical beauty is great but it doesn’t last. Inner beauty, on the other hand, stands the test of time. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t improve our physical beauty – we should focus on being beautiful, both on the inside and out.
• Beauty, #2 : There is no one standard of beauty. Beauty comes in all shapes, all sizes, all forms, all colors. You are beautiful as you are. Stop trying to conform to the image of beauty constructed by the society and embrace the beauty that is you.
• Being yourself : It is better to be a first rate version of yourself than a second rate version of someone else. ( Judy Garland )
• Beliefs : Your beliefs affect your life more than you think they do. If you want to have the best life experience you can ever have, switch out your disempowering beliefs with empowering ones.
• Beliefs, #2 : Half the things you say are usually more to do with your internal beliefs and issues than to do with other people.
• Blame : Whenever you point a finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at you.

• Change : Just because you have realized something doesn’t mean the world around you will change right away. It takes time for your thoughts to ripple out and effect the reality because the physical world is denser than the spiritual one. So don’t be hung up with what’s on the outside but stay true to what’s inside you. Be focused. (Refer to #33: Focus)
• Change that lasts : It’s better to create sustainable change than change that is quick but does not last. Stop going for the easy way out. Learn how to create lasting change instead.
• Changing people : You can’t change other people. You can only change yourself.
• Comparing : There is no need to compare because everyone is different. Your goal is not to be like others but to be yourself. Stop comparing with others and focus on being yourself instead. (See #11)
• Competition : The only competition you have is yourself.
• Conditional things : Something that is conditional can never stand the test of time. For example, if your partner wants to be with you  only  if you do X, Y and Z, whereby X, Y and Z are not things that you believe in. Or say, if a parent will only love his child if he aces his exams. These are relationships rooted in fear and not what you want to be a part of.

• Criticism : helps you to become better. Rather than reject it, celebrate it. Read:  How To Give Constructive Criticism: 6 Helpful Tips
• Criticism, #2 : Receiving criticism means what you are doing is worthwhile enough for people to critique on. One will not criticize unless he/she feels he/she has a stake in it. The more criticism you get, the better, because that means you are doing something of real value and worth.
• Cynics, Skeptics, and Pessimists : are not worth arguing with. They are negative time bombs waiting to go off. You will only end up (more) bitter, damaged, and upset at the end of the exchange. Read:  How To Deal With Energy Vampires: 8 Simple Tips  |  Manifesto version
• Death : is part and parcel of life. With every death comes a new birth; with every birth comes an eventual death. Don’t mourn the dead. Celebrate the fact that they lived.
• Death, #2 : There is nothing to fear about death for it happens to everyone. Rather than fear death, focus on living your best life instead. Read:  Do You Dread Growing Older?
• Doing everything alone : You can’t accomplish everything by yourself. Even if you do, you can never accomplish as much as compared to if you had the help of others. Involve others in your goals. Delegate, outsource, and hire where applicable. Ask for help when you need to.
• Escaping : has never solved any problem for anyone. The moment you decide to face your problems is the moment you gain power over your life. (See #78)
• Failure : is a necessary part of success. Every great success is almost always preceded by a great failure. It’s more important that you learn from your failure(s) and harness the lesson(s) so you can achieve your next success. Read:  How To Start When You Have Nothing

• Fear, #2 : No matter how much fear you have, your fear can be conquered with love. (By love, I’m referring to universal love, not specifically romantic love.)
• Focus : is what happens when you stop letting yourself get distracted by the unimportant things.
• Force : You can’t force things to happen if they are not meant to be. There is a time and place for everything. You can only do what you can and let the universe take care of the rest.
• Forgiveness : isn’t about forgiving other people. It’s really about forgiving yourself. To quote Lewis Smedes, “To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” Read: Day 25: Forgive Someone,  Be a Better Me in 30 Days
• Friendships : A friendship is a bond between two like-minded souls. If there are friends you no longer feel an affinity for, perhaps it’s time to let the friendships go and work on building new friendships. Read: Why I Parted Ways With My Best Friend of 10 Years  and  How to Have More Best Friends: My Heartfelt Guide

• Fulfillment : You create a more fulfilling life by giving attention to the good things, not the bad things; by celebrating the good stuff, not whining about the bad stuff; by working on things that you love, not doing the things that you hate.
• Future : You can’t control the future, but you can affect the present moment. If you want to have a better future, create it.
• Generosity : Being generous doesn’t deprive you. When you are generous to others, you subsequently receive more into your life. Read:  Are You Emotionally Generous?
• Giving and Receiving : Rather than think about what you can receive (whether from people or from the universe), think about what you can give to others.
• Growth : Always challenge yourself to reach greater heights. There is always room to be better, regardless of who you are or what you have done. Be attached to the notion of growth, not an end state.
• Habits : Your habits make you who you are. Excellent habits give you an excellent life. Read:  Develop a Good Habit in 21 Days

• Haste : Sometimes, more haste leads to less speed. Being in a hurry can lead to more mistakes compared to if you were not.
• Humility : will earn you more respect, acknowledgment and recognition than arrogance ever will. There’s no need to be a show off. If you are really good at what you do, it will automatically show through your accomplishments.
• Ideals : are good but don’t let them stop you from living in the present. They are meant to inspire you and give you a direction to move towards so that you can maximize your present moment (not to take you away from living in it).
• Improving :  If you think you can’t improve any further in something, then you are just not aware of your areas for improvement.
• Individuality : Everyone is different. Accept that each and every person is unique. Stop imposing expectations on people.
• Inspiration : comes from being in the state of flow. If you’re not feeling inspired, you’re not in a state of flow.
• Intuition : When in doubt, follow your intuition. It will guide you to where you need to be.
• Intuition and Logic : Contrary to popular belief, intuition and logic are not at odds with each other – they go hand-in-hand. Hone your analytical mind through constant thinking. Cultivate your intuition by listening to your gut. They will be the biggest tools you have at your disposal.
• Jealousy : is what happens when you resent someone’s success. But you don’t have to, because you are capable of achieving that same level of success, and more.
• Judgment : Judging people doesn’t make you a better person. It only makes you an ugly one.
• Laughter : Perhaps a little cliche, but laughter is one of the best medicines for the soul. When’s the last time you had a good laugh? If you haven’t been laughing/smiling/grinning for a while, maybe you have been too stifled in your life. Go do something that makes you loosen up and laugh out loud.
• Let go : Sometimes you have to let go of what you have now in order to move forward. Check out Day 28: Let Go from Live a Better Life in 30 Days .

• Life : is an experience that you actively create, not something you wait around to “happen”.
• Limits : The only limit in life is yourself. No one’s stopping you from becoming better and achieving more except yourself. To reach greater heights, identify your limits and remove them accordingly.
• Love : isn’t something you deliberately seek out. It’s something that happens when you follow your life path, become the right person, and meet that right person along your life’s journey.

• Low consciousness people , #2 : Low consciousness people hold you back from reaching greater heights. These include energy vampires, critical people, dishonest characters, and people with temperament issues. Let them go from your life and send them love as you do that.
• Material objects : are just tools to help you enjoy your life. You do not carry them with you when you die. So, don’t invest yourself in them. Rather, invest yourself in the development of your consciousness. Read:  Materialism Breeds Unhappiness

• Mistakes : are there to help you learn more about yourself. Don’t be hung up about the mistakes you make. Don’t be afraid of making (more) mistakes either. Be hungry about the lessons they embody.
• Money : is a symbol of value exchange between people. The amount of money you earn is simply a representation of the value you are giving to others. To earn more money, simply create more value for others.
• Motivation : comes naturally when you do what you love.
• Nasty people : There is always something good in everyone – even in the nastiest of people. It’s up to you to recognize that.
• Nasty people, #2 : The nastiest of people are also the unhappiest of people. Be kind to them because they are the ones who need your love the most.
• Obstacles : The obstacles that lie between you and your goals are not there to stop you from reaching your goals. They are there to stop the people who don’t want them enough. (Original quote by Randy Pausch. Watch his commencement speech at Carnegie Mellon:  10 Powerful and Inspiring Graduation Speeches  (#3 on the list))
• Opportunities : don’t come knocking on your door just by virtue of you doing nothing. You can either passively wait for opportunities to fall onto your lap or actively create them yourself.

• Past : You can’t change the past; it has happened and it is what it is. Fixating on it isn’t going to get you anywhere. You can only change the present to create a better future.
• People you dislike : Your life is limited, so spend it around people you like.
• Pleasing other people : When you live a life trying to please others, you end up not living a life at all. You are just living others’ lives under the facade of your life.
• Positivity : If you want to have more positivity in your life, start by being more positive yourself. Spot the silver lining behind every dark cloud. Recognize the strengths of the people you are with. See the good side of everything you have.
• Possibilities : We live in a world of possibilities. Anything you have ever dreamed of, imagined, or wished for, is possible, as long as you set your heart and soul to it.
• Power : You have all the power in you to do everything you ever want, and more. So start doing what you want and let the power in you emerge.
• Procrastination : is a sign of a bigger issue. Stop trying to fix your procrastination as a problem and start thinking about why you are procrastinating in the first place. Read:  How To Overcome Procrastination  (5-part series)
• Progress : Celebrate how far you’ve come, and not how much you have yet to achieve. The former will empower you to greatness, while the latter is rooted in fear and only serves to hold you back from greatness.
• Priorities : Know what matters to you and work on them. These are the things that will bring you the greatest happiness in life. Read:  Put First Things First
• Lead by example : If you want to initiate change, lead by example. Words can only do so much. A living example shows everything.
• Reality : Just like how the kind of fruit a tree bears is a result of the seed it is sown from, your external reality is merely a reflection of your internal beliefs. Change your beliefs and your reality will follow suit. (See #12)

• Relationships : A relationship is a bond between two dynamic individuals. It should be actively created between the parties involved, and not something you base off of norms and other relationships. Don’t impose expectations on your relationships; nurture them and let them come into their own. Read:  How to Improve Your Relationship With Your Parents  (series)
• Resistance : The more you resist something, the more it will persist.
• Respect : Everyone, no matter who, deserves respect. If you want others to respect you, it’s important you respect them first.

• Results : The results you get in life are a function of the actions you take. The more actions you take, the more results you will see.
• Root cause : Behind every occurrence is a root cause. Dig for the root cause and address that. Read:  Create Real Change In Life: Address Root Cause vs. Effects
• Seeking love : If you are desperately seeking love, perhaps there’s something inside you that’s blocking you from seeing it. Because love is everywhere, around you, and in you. There’s no need to seek love so much as you just need to be aware of its presence . You are the product of love. You are the biggest source of love. You live in a world of love. Read:  8 Tips on Attracting Authentic Love Into Your Life
• Settling : Settling is for losers. Don’t ever, ever, settle for something less than your ideal. Your ideal is yours to have. Fight for it.
• Spite : When you try to spite other people, you are really just hurting yourself. The people you are trying to spite may not care. In fact, they may not even know how hung up you are over them. All you are doing is just acting out a self-created story and script in your mind.
• Success : Success is the result of being great at what you do. Being great at what you do is the result of hard work. Hard work is the result of determination, persistence, and relentless focus.
• Success, #2 : There is no such thing as an overnight success. Every success you see, even if it seemingly quick, is the result of long periods of hard work that took place long before the point of success.

• Truth : It is always better to tell the truth because you stay clean that way. When you tell a lie, you live a lie forever. Not only that, you almost always have to cover it up with new lies. It is a cycle that never ends.
• Unhappiness : 100% of the unhappiness you experience in your life is a product of your thoughts. If you want to be happy, then make a conscious choice to be happy (see #44). Read:  10 Surefire Ways To Be Unhappy
• Vengeance : is an act of force/fear that doesn’t solve the problem. Look at the history of mankind and the wars that were waged. Go with the path of love, not fear/vengeance/force.
• What’s meant to be : If something is meant to be, it will happen (provided you do your part in making it happen). The more tightly you try to grab on to something, the more it will slip away. It’s just like trying to grab sand – it slips through the cracks of your fingers regardless how tightly you grab it.
• Yourself : Don’t do things for others; do them for yourself.

What principles above resonate with you? What can you start applying today?

This is part of the Inspiration & Motivation series. Check out the other articles in the series:

• 10 Powerful Graduation Speeches You Don’t Want To Miss
• 13 Meaningful Movies With Life Lessons To Learn
• 20 Amazing Commercials To Inspire the Greatness in You
• 56 Most Inspirational Songs of All Time
• 15 Beautiful Inspirational Wallpapers For Your Desktop
• 15 More Beautiful Wallpapers With Positive Affirmations
• 101 Inspiring Quotes of All Time
• 101 Things To Do Before You Die
• 101 Ways To Be a Better Person
• 101 Ways To Live Your Life To The Fullest
• 101 Important Questions To Ask Yourself in Life
• 101 Life Principles to Live By Daily

(Images: Sunrise , 10,000 Hours ,  Girl leaning on tree , Stacked coins , Confidence ,  Fearful girl , Broken egg ,  Girl with seashell ,  Meditation ,  Blue sky ,  Man walking ,  Spilt milk , Clock ,  CEO ,  Watch )

Hi, I’m Celes. Thanks for reading. Personal Excellence is where I write about how to live our best life as we tackle life’s challenges.  About Me »

• How To Deal With Disillusionment
• How To Deal With Uncertainty
• How To Overcome Anger
• How To Say No To Others
• How To Tackle Naysayers
• How To Stop Analysis Paralysis
• How To Deal With Critical People
• How To Handle Negative Criticism
• How To Give Constructive Criticism
• How To Deal With Unsupportive Friends & Family
• How To Improve Your Relationship With Your Parents
• How To Find Your Life Purpose
• How To Find Purpose After a Hard Fall in Life
• How To Move On From a Heartbreak
• How To Find Your Soulmate
• How To Stop Procrastinating
• How To Make Life’s Hardest Decisions
• How To Stay Focused & Not Get Distracted
• 101 Ways To Live Your Best Life
• 101 Questions To Ask Yourself

101 Inspiring Quotes of All Time, Part 2

How To Start When You Have Nothing

Why I Used To Hate My Feet

Are You Putting Any Parts of Your Life On Hold?

Create Your Life Handbook

Top 5 Regrets of the Dying (And What To Do About Them)

Copyright 2024 © Personal Excellence  |   Terms of Use   |   Privacy

Essays About Life: Top 5 Examples Plus 7 Prompts

Life envelops various meanings; if you are writing essays about life, discover our comprehensive guide with examples and prompts to help you with your essay.

What is life? You can ask anyone; I assure you, no two people will have the same answer. How we define life relies on our beliefs and priorities. One can say that life is the capacity for growth or the time between birth and death. Others can share that life is the constant pursuit of purpose and fulfillment. Life is a broad topic that inspires scholars, poets, and many others. It stimulates discussions that encourage diverse perspectives and interpretations. 

5 Essay Examples

1. essay on life by anonymous on toppr.com, 2. the theme of life, existence and consciousness by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 3. compassion can save life by anonymous on papersowl.com, 4. a life of consumption vs. a life of self-realization by anonymous on ivypanda.com, 5. you only live once: a motto for life by anonymous on gradesfixer.com, 1. what is the true meaning of life, 2. my life purpose, 3. what makes life special, 4. how to appreciate life, 5. books about life, 6. how to live a healthy life, 7. my idea of a perfect life.

“…quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.”

The author defines life as something that differentiates man from inorganic matter. It’s an aspect that processes and examines a person’s actions that develop through growth. For some, life is a pain because of failures and struggles, but it’s temporary. For the writer, life’s challenges help us move forward, be strong, and live to the fullest. You can also check out these essays about utopia .

“… Kafka defines the dangers of depending on art for life. The hunger artist expresses his dissatisfaction with the world by using himself and not an external canvas to create his artwork, forcing a lack of separation between the artist and his art. Therefore, instead of the art depending on the audience, the artist depends on the audience, meaning when the audience’s appreciation for work dwindles, their appreciation for the artist diminishes as well, leading to the hunger artist’s death.”

The essay talks about “ A Hunger Artist ” by Franz Kafka, who describes his views on life through art. The author analyzes Kafka’s fictional main character and his anxieties and frustrations about life and the world. This perception shows how much he suffered as an artist and how unhappy he was. Through the essay, the writer effectively explains Kafka’s conclusion that artists’ survival should not depend on their art.

“Compassion is that feeling that we’ve all experienced at some point in our lives. When we know that there is someone that really cares for us. Compassion comes from that moment when we can see the world through another person’s eyes.”

The author is a nurse who believes that to be professional, they need to be compassionate and treat their patients with respect, empathy, and dignity. One can show compassion through small actions such as talking and listening to patients’ grievances. In conclusion, compassion can save a person’s life by accepting everyone regardless of race, gender, etc.

“… A life of self-realization is more preferable and beneficial in comparison with a life on consumption. At the same time, this statement may be objected as person’s consumption leads to his or her happiness.”

The author examines Jon Elster’s theory to find out what makes a person happy and what people should think and feel about their material belongings. The essay mentions a list of common activities that make us feel happy and satisfied, such as buying new things. The writer explains that Elster’s statement about the prevalence of self-realization in consumption will always trigger intense debate.

“Appreciate the moment you’ve been given and appreciate the people you’ve been given to spend it with, because no matter how beautiful or tragic a moment is, it always ends. So hold on a little tighter, smile a little bigger, cry a little harder, laugh a little louder, forgive a little quicker, and love a whole lot deeper because these are the moments you will remember when you’re old and wishing you could rewind time.”

This essay explains that some things and events only happen once in a person’s life. The author encourages teenagers to enjoy the little things in their life and do what they love as much as they can. When they turn into adults, they will no longer have the luxury to do whatever they want.

The author suggests doing something meaningful as a stress reliever, trusting people, refusing to give up on the things that make you happy, and dying with beautiful memories. For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers .

7 Prompts for Essays About Life

Life encompasses many values and depends on one’s perception. For most, life is about reaching achievements to make themselves feel alive. Use this prompt to compile different meanings of life and provide a background on why a person defines life as they do.

Take Joseph Campbell’s, “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning, and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer,” for example. This quote pertains to his belief that an individual is responsible for giving life meaning. 

For this prompt, share with your readers your current purpose in life. It can be as simple as helping your siblings graduate or something grand, such as changing a national law to make a better world. You can ask others about their life purpose to include in your essay and give your opinion on why your answers are different or similar.

Life is a fascinating subject, as each person has a unique concept. How someone lives depends on many factors, such as opportunities, upbringing, and philosophies. All of these elements affect what we consider “special.”

Share what you think makes life special. For instance, talk about your relationships, such as your close-knit family or best friends. Write about the times when you thought life was worth living. You might also be interested in these essays about yourself .

Life in itself is a gift. However, most of us follow a routine of “wake up, work (or study), sleep, repeat.” Our constant need to survive makes us take things for granted. When we endlessly repeat a routine, life becomes mundane. For this prompt, offer tips on how to avoid a monotonous life, such as keeping a gratitude journal or traveling.

Many literary pieces use life as their subject. If you have a favorite book about life, recommend it to your readers by summarizing the content and sharing how the book influenced your outlook on life. You can suggest more than one book and explain why everyone should read them.

For example, Paulo Coelho’s “The Alchemist” reminds its readers to live in the moment and never fear failure.

To be healthy doesn’t only pertain to our physical condition. It also refers to our mental, spiritual, and emotional well-being. To live a happy and full life, individuals must strive to be healthy in all areas. For this prompt, list ways to achieve a healthy life. Section your essay and present activities to improve health, such as eating healthy foods, talking with friends, etc.

No one has a perfect life, but describe what it’ll be like if you do. Start with the material things, such as your house, clothes, etc. Then, move to how you connect with others. In your conclusion, answer whether you’re willing to exchange your current life for the “perfect life” you described and why.  See our essay writing tips to learn more!

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

View all posts

10 Simple (Yet Powerful) Rules for a Happy Life

• November 30, 2022

It’s easy to become overwhelmed when trying to live a happy life. Between work, family obligations, and social commitments, where do you even start? Fortunately, living a happy life is simpler than it seems. All you need is to follow these ten simple (yet powerful) rules for a happy life. And yes, they really are simple! So take a deep breath, put your feet up, and get ready to learn about the secrets of happiness. 

How to live a happy life?

Let’s start with the most basic and frequently asked question… What is the secret to living a happy life?

Since the beginning of time, people have pondered this question. The truth is, we can’t define what a happy life is, as everyone perceives it differently. For some people, a happy life could mean spending time with family, while others may find happiness in pursuing their passions and interests or having financial stability. 

However, there are some fundamental components that either contribute to or detract from happiness.

For example, people often turn to material items and money to buy their happiness. Some examples might be traveling, buying material possessions, or pursuing a particular career. While these things may make people happy for a short period, it’s not lasting happiness.

The reason is that pursuing happiness from a materialistic standpoint leads to an endless cycle of wanting more , which can cause life dissatisfaction and keep people from experiencing true happiness.

On the other hand, to have a truly happy life, it’s crucial to find out what makes you happy and focus on that rather than constantly chasing after things that may or may not bring you happiness.

Happiness comes from within

One thing that we can say for sure is that true happiness comes from within and is found in living life fully and authentically. It’s about finding joy in every moment of life, whether big or small. 

You can find happiness everywhere if you take the time to look for it.

So instead of searching for happiness in material things or trying to buy it, focus on cultivating a life full of meaning and purpose, and one that is filled with joy and contentment. That’s true happiness.

So, no matter how one defines it, achieving true and lasting happiness is a lifelong endeavor that takes practice and dedication.

Rules For A Happy Life

So, if you want to improve your mental health and personal growth while also finding happiness, here are ten simple rules for a happy life to follow that can help you along the way:

#1. Always be yourself – don’t try to be someone you’re not.

Rule number one? Just be yourself!

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking.”  –  Steve Jobs

Most people have probably heard this phrase more times than they would care to admit – yet it just won’t seem to go away. That’s because, even though being yourself may not always be the most comfortable choice, it’s ultimately the right choice .

Faking your persona never works out ; it leaves you with a feeling of unease and guilt at having tried to deceive someone else – or sometimes even yourself. 

What does it mean to be yourself?

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t just about ignoring trends, fashion, and what everyone else is doing. Sure, it can be that – but ‘being yourself’ also means embracing many aspects of your personality and being proud of who you are.

It’s too easy to fall into the habit of trying to be someone else to fit in or please others. But, as the old saying goes – life’s too short not to be yourself . 

It’s far better, to be honest, if only for the sake of inner peace and living your life purpose. So be true – even though other voices may tell you otherwise, you know what is right for you deep down inside. And that is well worth sticking with!

#2. Do what makes you happy, even if it’s something others might think is silly or pointless.

One of the most important rules for a happy life is to do what makes you happy. People often project their own fears, anxieties, and insecurities onto others, which might lead them to try and discourage you from doing something that makes you happy. Perhaps it’s because they’re too scared to leave their comfort zone and do it themselves, or they need to control everything. 

But you should do whatever it is that brings a smile to your face and not feel ashamed or embarrassed or be afraid of being judged by others.

Expressing yourself and celebrating your joys freely will make life much more enjoyable!

#3. Learn to let go .

Life can be short, unpredictable, and filled with unexpected obstacles. Hanging on to grudges or constantly second-guessing yourself over long-past things can prevent you from truly living your best life. 

The truth is, even if you make mistakes, dwelling on them isn’t going to undo what happened magically. It’s often better to take a step back and evaluate the situation with an open mind and heart.

“Turn your wounds into wisdom.” —  Oprah Winfrey

Of course, letting go isn’t always easy; some things may require more effort than others. But ultimately, we should all strive to practice forgiveness instead of holding onto crippling resentments that hinder our progress.

So don’t be afraid to leave the past in the past — learn how to let go!

#4. Set up healthy mindset habits .

Setting up healthy mindset habits is another of the rules for a happy life. Habits provide us with structure , no matter what they may be, whether it’s your bedtime routine or how you manage your day-to-day tasks. 

Building good habits also provide some valuable advantages : You will work faster on tasks and prevent you from going down any rabbit holes that may potentially derail your progress! 

But before you start setting up new healthy habits, make sure to get rid of any toxic habits that prevent you from leading a more fulfilling life. For example: try to avoid scrolling through social media in the morning and instead follow some tips from this holistic morning routine .

And don’t forget Sundays – use this day to practice self-care and focus on planning for the week ahead! Small changes like this can slowly add up over time, making for a happier and healthier lifestyle.

#5. Surround yourself with people who make you happy, and avoid those who don’t

If we’re being honest with ourselves, life is too short to waste our time with people who don’t make us happy. We all have the same 24 hours a day – why should we devote them to people who weigh us down when we could be out having fun with positive and inspiring individuals? 

Of course, nobody wants to avoid anyone – but we must do what we can to make the most of our lives, which means hanging around people who elevate us. Whether it’s choosing friends or deciding who sits at our dinner table, spending time with those who bring joy into our lives is far more rewarding than holding on to those who, quite frankly, make us miserable. 

So the next time you feel drawn towards someone you know isn’t right for you, don’t forget that life is too precious – and so are you! Be brave enough to find your tribe and invest all your energy in relationships that are worth every moment. You owe it to yourself!

#6. Laugh whenever you can – it’s the best way to feel happy.

Another one of the essential rules for a happy life is to laugh! Everyone can use a little extra laughter in their lives! It doesn’t matter what mood you’re in – whether you need cheering up or want to feel more on top of the world. 

Laughing is one of the best ways to reach true happiness , and thankfully happens to be completely free. There are countless daily opportunities to chuckle – spotting a familiar face while taking a stroll, watching something funny on TV, or having a light exchange with someone special. 

It also helps to look at life a bit differently and approach certain situations with an open mind (and a humorous one, too!) . 

“The healthiest response to life is joy.” —  Deepak Chopra

With so much going on in life, it’s important to remind yourself that there’s always something silly or cheer-worthy around the corner – and why not laugh heartily whenever you can? 

#7. Give to others without expecting anything in return.

Well, we’re supposed to give without expecting anything in return. But is that really one of keys to happiness? Does giving guarantee us an enduring sense of happiness? 

To answer these questions, first we must explore why we should live by this rule . After all, it makes more sense to do what benefits us and expect rewards. 

But while it might make sense on the surface, taking such a narrow-minded approach means that much of life would pass you by. 

When we give unconditional love or generosity to those around us, our hearts open up, and we connect on a much deeper level . It gives us insight into our shared humanity and opens us up to experiences that enrich our lives in many other ways. 

Ultimately, there’s no single answer as to how to find contentment – but one thing seems certain: when we take the time to give without expecting anything back, something special happens – and we find happiness along the way. 

#8. Remember that life is too short.

If you want to be truly happy, one of the most basic rules for a happy life you should follow is to remember that life is short – so why not make it count? 

We all know the fate that awaits us: death . But here’s the thing – it doesn’t have to look like doom and gloom! Although life can often feel fleeting, we can use this knowledge to our advantage. 

When we’re aware that life is finite and fragile, we can draw strength from this fact and use it as a motivator to make each day as memorable as possible. Sure, stay dedicated to improving yourself every day – but also remember to enjoy every second of your life.

As Mae West said:

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

So remember to ask yourself regularly: what am I doing today that will make my time here unforgettable? 

The key is not only surviving in this world but thriving – and making every moment count eventually leads us back onto a path of joyous living! Life may be brief, but when you adopt the right attitude toward making the most of it, there are no limits!

#9. Don’t sweat the small stuff

Life would be so much simpler if we could remember one simple rule: don’t sweat the small stuff. After all, isn’t that what we strive for? To live a life free from stress, anxiety, and worry?

Of course, it’s easier said than done, but by adopting this mindset and learning just to let go of those little everyday frustrations, you will begin to lead a more content and fulfilled life . 

We all want things to go according to plan every single day, but it’s important to remember that not everything has to be perfect . A few crumbs on the kitchen floor don’t have to be something you sweat over!

More significant problems in life deserve our entire focus and attention, so let’s try not to get bogged down by trivial things that are out of our control. It’s like a weight lifted off your shoulders when you put this motto into practice – at least, that’s how I feel.

So loosen up, laugh a bit more and manage your expectations – it could make all the difference!

#10. Be grateful for what you have, no matter how small it may seem.

One of life’s most important rules for a happy life is to be grateful for what you have, no matter how small it may seem. 

There will undoubtedly be moments when you feel frustrated with your struggles and the difficulties that life can bring. But rather than despairing at the things you don’t have or stressing over what could have been, taking a moment to appreciate the small blessings that come your way can help you keep things in perspective. 

Even when things appear grim, there is usually a silver lining , whether it’s having a roof over your head, friends who love and support you, or something as simple as sitting down with a cup of hot tea when the days are cold. So why not make an effort to savor these little things in life?  

After all, if you find happiness within your current circumstances, imagine how much more contentment and joy might lie ahead! 

So let’s not forget to take time out from our daily hustle and bustle to reflect on the incredible gifts that come our way every day. 

Life may not always be perfect, but if we pay attention to its beauty along its journey – however small – perhaps, it won’t feel so imperfect.

Final thoughts 

It’s no secret that rules can make or break a happy life. Unfortunately, many rules for a happy life can be confusing. But they don’t have to be; start small, and don’t worry if you fail a few times— getting back up is half the battle!

Remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” so take baby steps and never forget what you’re working towards: a healthier, happier you. So, hold the vision and trust the process … yes, rules can be hard work, but they don’t have to be impossible!

By following the above rules for a happy life, you can be sure to live your best life possible. So here’s to enjoying your own rules for a happy life. And remember: Patience is key 🙂

And if you want more feel-good content in your life, be sure to subscribe to our blog for posts like these delivered straight to your inbox!

Related Articles

Inner Healing: How to Heal Your Wounded Inner Child

Here are six reasons why The Remarkable Planner can improve your journaling experience.

Digital Journal vs Paper Journal: Which One is better for You?

2 thoughts on “10 simple (yet powerful) rules for a happy life”.

What a beautifully written article. I especially love what you said about learning to let go! I’m a psychotherapist and one of the questions I get asked often is how to be happy so also put together a list of 10 happiness hacks https://pantearahimian.com/how-to-be-happy-10-happiness-hacks-you-can-begin-now/

Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so glad that you liked the article and I appreciate that you shared this helpful resource too 🙂

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Join Our Mailing List...

Copyright © mentalwellbeing.net.

12 Rules for Life

44 pages • 1 hour read

12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Foreword-Overture

Chapters 1-3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapter 10-Coda

Key Figures

Index of Terms

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

What are Peterson’s general assumptions about the generation he seeks to instill his rules upon? From what sources or observations does he draw these assumptions? Do you agree with his assessments of the “average” person’s psychology, behaviors, and shortcomings?

Do you think Peterson’s rules reflect a particular political position on a conservative-to-liberal spectrum? Are there certain rules that seem to embody a political position more centrally than others? Do all the rules seem to be drawn from a particular worldview in or beyond politics, or do they seem objective?

If you could instantly be excellent at following one of the prescribed “rules for life,” which rule would you pick, and why? Do you think other people would generally prioritize the same rule, or do you think people would be divided in terms of a preferred or favorite rule? Which others (besides the one you chose) might be generally high priority?

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Jordan B. Peterson

Maps of Meaning

Jordan B. Peterson

Featured Collections

American Literature

View Collection

Books About Leadership

Canadian Literature

Self-Help Books

Truth & Lies

Valentine's Day Reads: The Theme of Love

13 Rules for Writing Good Essays

To write a good essay, you have to make your message clear..

Posted March 7, 2018 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

To write a good university essay you have to make your message clear. This means organizing your key points, supporting them with a series of evidence-based arguments, and wrapping it all up at the end so the reader knows what they've learned. To do this well, you need to take the reader's perspective. If you can see what might trip them up as they read your work, then you can avoid pitfalls that will confuse or bore them. Here are some tips to help you avoid the easy pitfalls. Once understood, these rules can be broken. But if you're unclear on how to approach your writing, these tips can help.

1. Your opening paragraph should clearly describe what you are going to discuss in the essay. These three things are vital: What’s the thesis (or problem), why is it important, and how are you going to address it? If you have each of those items in your opening paragraph your reader will know what they are reading, why they are reading it, and what they can expect to get out of it.

2. Organize the essay so that it covers a set list of subtopics that each support your main thesis. If it's a long essay, you should break it up into sections with headings that focus on specific subtopics. Introduce these topics in the opening paragraph of the essay (see 1 above). Overall, you want to organize information so it is easy to understand and remember.

3. Start paragraphs with opening sentences that explain what the paragraph is going to say. Then write sentences that follow one from the other and are easy to read. Avoid paragraphs that are too long, that read like lists, or that have no main thesis. Summarize complex paragraphs with concise sentences that explain what the paragraph said.

4. Create transitions between paragraphs so that one paragraph follows from the next. You are trying to make it all easy to understand for your reader. The more organized your writing, the more clearly you will understand and communicate your own ideas.

5. Make your sentences work. Avoid long sentences. When in doubt, break long sentences into smaller sentences. Avoid sentences that are repetitive and don't provide new information. Throw away weak and empty sentences ("Angioplasty is an important procedure." "Emotions are a central element in people's lives."). Sentences also need to be crystal clear. You can check for clarity by making sure they read well. Read them out loud to yourself or have someone else read them out loud to you.

6. Explain novel terms (jargon) when you introduce them . Don’t assume your reader knows what terms mean. Avoid jargon except where it communicates key concepts. Imagine the reader knows less about the topic than you do.

7. In science writing, you can use synonyms for key concepts only when you are first explaining them. After that, use the same word every time to refer to the idea. For example, you might want to write, 'affect,' and then 'emotions,' and then 'feelings.' If you use different words every time you refer to an idea, your reader will get confused. Define a term and then use it consistently.

8. Be careful when you use words like ‘this’ or ‘that’ or ‘their’ or ‘those’ or 'these' or 'they.' These words are often not as tightly connected to what they reference as you think. Check every one of them and see if you can rewrite it more clearly. When you use *these* words carelessly, your reader will need to think more to understand what you are referring to. *That* will break the flow and make it harder to understand what you're actually try to say. *They* (the readers) won't know who you're referring to. By simply stating what you are referring to specifically, you make your writing clear. It is better to be repetitive than unclear.

9. Use concrete information. Concrete information is powerful, is appealing, it is easier to understand, and it sticks in people's memory . Concrete information includes things like examples, statistics, quotes, facts, and other details. The more sentences that go by without communicating new concrete information or ideas that develop your thesis, the more likely your reader is to get bored .

10. If you have an interesting idea, check to see if someone else has already had it. If they have, cite them. Chances are someone has at least hinted at your clever insight, and you can use them as a springboard to say something even more interesting. This will demonstrate scholarship and an understanding of the broader context.

11. Make sure everything is relevant. Don’t include random facts that are not relevant. Don't include extra words that you don't need ("actually," "very," "in many ways," "the fact that"). Don't include paragraphs that have lots of cool facts if they aren't related to your central thesis. These slow down your reader and confuse them because they expect to hear content that is related to your theme. After you write a first draft (where you are just trying to get ideas down on paper), see what you can cut out to focus your argument on what matters.

12. The very best essays provide their own critique. End with something like this before the final summary: Provide criticism of your key point (appropriately referenced). Then provide criticism of the criticizer that you referenced (with another reference). If you can do this well, then in most instances you will have demonstrated thorough understanding of the issues. After this, provide your conclusion.

13. In the conclusion, take a position, make a prediction, or propose some future actions (an experiment, an implication, a new question to be addressed, etc). Summarize your thesis and the evidence you’ve provided in a concise way without being wishy-washy.

You might also be interested in my top 10 job interview tips or top 10 science-based study skills.

Follow me on Twitter .

Thomas T. Hills, Ph.D. , is a professor of psychology at University of Warwick.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Teletherapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Understanding what emotional intelligence looks like and the steps needed to improve it could light a path to a more emotionally adept world.

• Coronavirus Disease 2019
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

Essay on Life for Students and Children

500+ words essay on life.

First of all, Life refers to an aspect of existence. This aspect processes acts, evaluates, and evolves through growth. Life is what distinguishes humans from inorganic matter. Some individuals certainly enjoy free will in Life. Others like slaves and prisoners don’t have that privilege. However, Life isn’t just about living independently in society. It is certainly much more than that. Hence, quality of Life carries huge importance. Above all, the ultimate purpose should be to live a meaningful life. A meaningful life is one which allows us to connect with our deeper self.

Why is Life Important?

One important aspect of Life is that it keeps going forward. This means nothing is permanent. Hence, there should be a reason to stay in dejection. A happy occasion will come to pass, just like a sad one. Above all, one must be optimistic no matter how bad things get. This is because nothing will stay forever. Every situation, occasion, and event shall pass. This is certainly a beauty of Life.

Many people become very sad because of failures . However, these people certainly fail to see the bright side. The bright side is that there is a reason for every failure. Therefore, every failure teaches us a valuable lesson. This means every failure builds experience. This experience is what improves the skills and efficiency of humans.

Probably a huge number of individuals complain that Life is a pain. Many people believe that the word pain is a synonym for Life. However, it is pain that makes us stronger. Pain is certainly an excellent way of increasing mental resilience. Above all, pain enriches the mind.

The uncertainty of death is what makes life so precious. No one knows the hour of one’s death. This probably is the most important reason to live life to the fullest. Staying in depression or being a workaholic is an utter wastage of Life. One must certainly enjoy the beautiful blessings of Life before death overtakes.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

How to Improve Quality of Life?

Most noteworthy, optimism is the ultimate way of enriching life. Optimism increases job performance, self-confidence, creativity, and skills. An optimistic person certainly can overcome huge hurdles.

Meditation is another useful way of improving Life quality. Meditation probably allows a person to dwell upon his past. This way one can avoid past mistakes. It also gives peace of mind to an individual. Furthermore, meditation reduces stress and tension.

Pursuing a hobby is a perfect way to bring meaning to life. Without a passion or interest, an individual’s life would probably be dull. Following a hobby certainly brings new energy to life. It provides new hope to live and experience Life.

In conclusion, Life is not something that one should take for granted. It’s certainly a shame to see individuals waste away their lives. We should be very thankful for experiencing our lives. Above all, everyone should try to make their life more meaningful.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in.

• Travelling Essay
• Picnic Essay
• Our Country Essay
• My Parents Essay
• Essay on Favourite Personality
• Essay on Memorable Day of My Life
• Essay on Knowledge is Power
• Essay on Gurpurab
• Essay on My Favourite Season
• Essay on Types of Sports

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Download the App

• EssayBasics.com
• Pay For Essay
• Write My Essay
• Homework Writing Help
• Essay Editing Service
• Thesis Writing Help
• Write My College Essay
• Do My Essay
• Term Paper Writing Service
• Coursework Writing Service
• Write My Research Paper
• Assignment Writing Help
• Essay Writing Help
• Call Now! (USA) Login Order now
• EssayBasics.com Call Now! (USA) Order now
• Writing Guides

Why Rules Are Important (Essay/Paper Sample)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Why is it important to follow rules? Many of us turn away when the topic of conversation shifts to this. Whether it’s discomfort, fear, or stress, we need to address our negative connotations of these and remind ourselves that the rules in our life are not there to restrict us or make us miserable.

The custom essay below navigates the tricky topic of following rules and considers the many ways that abiding by them enables us to flourish.

For your own custom essay on this topic, consult with us so we can share with you our essay writing services .

Why Rules Are Important Essay

Rules refer to set guidelines that have been put in place in different countries and communities and have been accepted by all.

There are different types of policies, each of which is applied uniquely in the context of that country.  The nuances reflect each culture’s set of beliefs about, policies,  traditions, relationships, and governance.

There are various ways in which breaking these policies are approached, each with corresponding sets of penalties or consequences. Thus, policies are a useful tool in guiding and monitoring the interactions and relationships of humans in society.

Why Should People Obey Rules?

First, rules are important because they tend to protect weaker or more vulnerable populations who might be put at a disadvantage. When these are applied the right way, they provide a stable environment for people to co-exist, which leads to peace and development.

The process of establishing policies always identifies the direction in which the society is going. For example, policies in schools or any institution promote trust, fairness, and discipline in a bid to improve their students’ academic performance.

Second, rules are important because it is through them that law and order are maintained in any institution or country. As such, mandates in each country take into consideration the unique culture and heritage of the nation, as well as their revered customs and practices. They ensure that these are honored and respected in the process.

When people fail to follow policies, they need to face the consequences of their actions. While some penalties are minimal such as community service, others mirror the heaviness of the crime, which may include indefinite jail time.

Most people adhere to policies for fear of getting punished, but more importantly, to ensure their own safety. For example, if you don’t want to get hit by a speeding car, you need to follow traffic light regulations and only cross when the pedestrian light turns green. Until then, you have to wait for the countdown to finish.

As a way of maintaining these policies, many countries have decided to turn them into laws because they maintain the safety of their people and promote the well-being of society overall. There are also times when policies are adjusted when they don’t seem to be as effective. Sometimes, people may give feedback when these mandates restrict or interfere with their quality of life. Curfews, for instance, have a good goal in mind. However, to some people, they can seem limiting and mentally challenging.

All rules and regulations have the same purpose, which is to protect the lives of individuals and cultivate a society with good relationships. These mandates guide people by differentiating right from wrong. There are also many ways in which some of these policies are enforced on the people.

A country may employ some individuals to help enforce these policies. For instance, there are policemen who ensure peace in their assigned localities, and lawyers who prosecute rule-breakers and defend victims. In this way, implementing rules and regulations are supported by a network of professionals whose areas of expertise help carry the load.

In addition, apart from institutional rules, one may have his or her own personal policies at home and in life. Of course, people are not legally bound to follow their own rules, but they reflect their core values and convictions in life. To be truly authentic is to make it one’s aim to live by these personal rules. For instance, if you value your performance at work as well as your health, you will make it a point to sleep at a certain time to wake up refreshed.

At the end of the day, I maintain my stance on the importance of rules and regulations. While they don’t need to control or consume our lives, they provide a stable structure for society to function honorably. I just wish, however, that our authorities would always make it a point to review these policies on a regular basis to see if there are any that need to be updated to our present context.

Rules do not curtail people’s freedoms – they facilitate them with boundaries so that these freedoms are enjoyed without compromising other people.

Why Are Rules And Regulations Meant To Promote Discipline

Think about these questions How many devastating accidents happen each day because of breaking rules? How many lives are put at risk every hour because people don’t follow traffic rules? How many serious misunderstandings take place because people disrespect the laws of that particular nation?

These questions are meant to help us reflect on how regulations protect society from self-destructive habits. While we mostly perceive different rules as very negative things that ruin our day, rules are important because they provide a solid foundation and structure to our ways of life.

Imagine if everyone just did whatever they wanted to do without considering how it would affect other people. If we solely focused on our desired results without considering the moral dilemma that may sometimes accompany them, then it would be close to impossible to maintain order.

We need guidelines that we can all agree with to live harmoniously with one another. Policies always have the greater good in mind and that’s why we need them. Without a system in place, society would fail to be a place of growth for its citizens and no person will act in good conduct.

10 reasons why rules are important

• They make sure that everyone is equal, and no particular group is favored over another.
• They help society avoid chaos by ensuring that everyone goes through the same standard process to achieve something.
• They promote ownership and accountability through consequences.
• They bring together people and get them on a shared consensus despite their differences.
• They keep the well-being of society as a whole in mind.
• They don’t fixate on a specific norm but consider various local contexts and the ways a nation’s values and principles can be applied.
• They encourage a good relationship between the government and its people.
• They facilitate good and respectful conduct in public spheres.
• They take into consideration different situations and provide legal ways to address each one.
• They safeguard the community and its unique heritage and traditions.

Why are rules important for students?

School policies are important because they provide a safe space for students to maximize their education. It also protects the academic community by establishing boundaries for both learners and teachers. It enables educators to care for those under their wing with the utmost care. It allows relationships to form and be well-developed, which enhances the learning environment. It provides a platform for learners to expand their knowledge, which increases their chances of future success. School regulations keep in mind the total growth of the child and establish healthy ways in which it can be nurtured.

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Happiness — The Most Imortant Rules of Living

The Most Imortant Rules of Living

• Categories: Happiness

About this sample

Words: 540 |

Published: Jul 30, 2019

Words: 540 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Life

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

2 pages / 1013 words

1 pages / 508 words

2 pages / 986 words

4.5 pages / 2031 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Happiness

Argo, J. J., White, K., & Dahl, D. W. (2006). Social comparison theory and deception in the interpersonal exchange of consumption information. Journal of Consumer Research, 33(1), 99-108.Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning [...]

Good events or experiences have the power to bring happiness and excitement to a person's life, filling them with a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. This feeling of joy is often expressed through a smile, which serves as a [...]

Theconcept of happiness has been studied and analyzed by philosophers, psychologists, and researchers. Happiness is a complex and multifaceted emotion that is influenced by various factors, such as individual experiences, [...]

Freedom, Independence, Emancipation, and Happiness are concepts that have long captivated the human imagination. They are ideals that societies strive for, and individuals yearn to experience. In this essay, we will explore the [...]

Clark, A. E. (2006). Born to be mild? Cohort effects don’t (fully) explain why well-being is U-shaped in age. Paris-Jourdan Sciences Economiques.Donnelly, G., & Norton, M. (2018). The Happiness of Millionaires. Harvard Business [...]

The United States of America is often referred to as the land of endless possibilities, where everyone can achieve everything. The belief in the so-called American Dream, which gives the people a sense of hope that includes the [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, generate accurate citations for free.

• Knowledge Base
• How to write an argumentative essay | Examples & tips

How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips

Published on July 24, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on July 23, 2023.

An argumentative essay expresses an extended argument for a particular thesis statement . The author takes a clearly defined stance on their subject and builds up an evidence-based case for it.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Upload your document to correct all your mistakes in minutes

Table of contents

When do you write an argumentative essay, approaches to argumentative essays, introducing your argument, the body: developing your argument, concluding your argument, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about argumentative essays.

You might be assigned an argumentative essay as a writing exercise in high school or in a composition class. The prompt will often ask you to argue for one of two positions, and may include terms like “argue” or “argument.” It will frequently take the form of a question.

The prompt may also be more open-ended in terms of the possible arguments you could make.

Argumentative writing at college level

At university, the vast majority of essays or papers you write will involve some form of argumentation. For example, both rhetorical analysis and literary analysis essays involve making arguments about texts.

In this context, you won’t necessarily be told to write an argumentative essay—but making an evidence-based argument is an essential goal of most academic writing, and this should be your default approach unless you’re told otherwise.

Examples of argumentative essay prompts

At a university level, all the prompts below imply an argumentative essay as the appropriate response.

Your research should lead you to develop a specific position on the topic. The essay then argues for that position and aims to convince the reader by presenting your evidence, evaluation and analysis.

• Don’t just list all the effects you can think of.
• Do develop a focused argument about the overall effect and why it matters, backed up by evidence from sources.
• Don’t just provide a selection of data on the measures’ effectiveness.
• Do build up your own argument about which kinds of measures have been most or least effective, and why.
• Don’t just analyze a random selection of doppelgänger characters.
• Do form an argument about specific texts, comparing and contrasting how they express their thematic concerns through doppelgänger characters.

Receive feedback on language, structure, and formatting

Professional editors proofread and edit your paper by focusing on:

• Academic style
• Vague sentences
• Style consistency

See an example

An argumentative essay should be objective in its approach; your arguments should rely on logic and evidence, not on exaggeration or appeals to emotion.

There are many possible approaches to argumentative essays, but there are two common models that can help you start outlining your arguments: The Toulmin model and the Rogerian model.

Toulmin arguments

The Toulmin model consists of four steps, which may be repeated as many times as necessary for the argument:

• Make a claim
• Provide the grounds (evidence) for the claim
• Explain the warrant (how the grounds support the claim)
• Discuss possible rebuttals to the claim, identifying the limits of the argument and showing that you have considered alternative perspectives

The Toulmin model is a common approach in academic essays. You don’t have to use these specific terms (grounds, warrants, rebuttals), but establishing a clear connection between your claims and the evidence supporting them is crucial in an argumentative essay.

Say you’re making an argument about the effectiveness of workplace anti-discrimination measures. You might:

• Claim that unconscious bias training does not have the desired results, and resources would be better spent on other approaches
• Cite data to support your claim
• Explain how the data indicates that the method is ineffective
• Anticipate objections to your claim based on other data, indicating whether these objections are valid, and if not, why not.

Rogerian arguments

The Rogerian model also consists of four steps you might repeat throughout your essay:

• Discuss what the opposing position gets right and why people might hold this position
• Highlight the problems with this position
• Present your own position , showing how it addresses these problems
• Suggest a possible compromise —what elements of your position would proponents of the opposing position benefit from adopting?

This model builds up a clear picture of both sides of an argument and seeks a compromise. It is particularly useful when people tend to disagree strongly on the issue discussed, allowing you to approach opposing arguments in good faith.

Say you want to argue that the internet has had a positive impact on education. You might:

• Acknowledge that students rely too much on websites like Wikipedia
• Argue that teachers view Wikipedia as more unreliable than it really is
• Suggest that Wikipedia’s system of citations can actually teach students about referencing
• Suggest critical engagement with Wikipedia as a possible assignment for teachers who are skeptical of its usefulness.

You don’t necessarily have to pick one of these models—you may even use elements of both in different parts of your essay—but it’s worth considering them if you struggle to structure your arguments.

Regardless of which approach you take, your essay should always be structured using an introduction , a body , and a conclusion .

Like other academic essays, an argumentative essay begins with an introduction . The introduction serves to capture the reader’s interest, provide background information, present your thesis statement , and (in longer essays) to summarize the structure of the body.

Hover over different parts of the example below to see how a typical introduction works.

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts is on the rise, and its role in learning is hotly debated. For many teachers who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its critical benefits for students and educators—as a uniquely comprehensive and accessible information source; a means of exposure to and engagement with different perspectives; and a highly flexible learning environment.

The body of an argumentative essay is where you develop your arguments in detail. Here you’ll present evidence, analysis, and reasoning to convince the reader that your thesis statement is true.

In the standard five-paragraph format for short essays, the body takes up three of your five paragraphs. In longer essays, it will be more paragraphs, and might be divided into sections with headings.

Each paragraph covers its own topic, introduced with a topic sentence . Each of these topics must contribute to your overall argument; don’t include irrelevant information.

This example paragraph takes a Rogerian approach: It first acknowledges the merits of the opposing position and then highlights problems with that position.

Hover over different parts of the example to see how a body paragraph is constructed.

A common frustration for teachers is students’ use of Wikipedia as a source in their writing. Its prevalence among students is not exaggerated; a survey found that the vast majority of the students surveyed used Wikipedia (Head & Eisenberg, 2010). An article in The Guardian stresses a common objection to its use: “a reliance on Wikipedia can discourage students from engaging with genuine academic writing” (Coomer, 2013). Teachers are clearly not mistaken in viewing Wikipedia usage as ubiquitous among their students; but the claim that it discourages engagement with academic sources requires further investigation. This point is treated as self-evident by many teachers, but Wikipedia itself explicitly encourages students to look into other sources. Its articles often provide references to academic publications and include warning notes where citations are missing; the site’s own guidelines for research make clear that it should be used as a starting point, emphasizing that users should always “read the references and check whether they really do support what the article says” (“Wikipedia:Researching with Wikipedia,” 2020). Indeed, for many students, Wikipedia is their first encounter with the concepts of citation and referencing. The use of Wikipedia therefore has a positive side that merits deeper consideration than it often receives.

Here's why students love Scribbr's proofreading services

Discover proofreading & editing

An argumentative essay ends with a conclusion that summarizes and reflects on the arguments made in the body.

No new arguments or evidence appear here, but in longer essays you may discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your argument and suggest topics for future research. In all conclusions, you should stress the relevance and importance of your argument.

Hover over the following example to see the typical elements of a conclusion.

The internet has had a major positive impact on the world of education; occasional pitfalls aside, its value is evident in numerous applications. The future of teaching lies in the possibilities the internet opens up for communication, research, and interactivity. As the popularity of distance learning shows, students value the flexibility and accessibility offered by digital education, and educators should fully embrace these advantages. The internet’s dangers, real and imaginary, have been documented exhaustively by skeptics, but the internet is here to stay; it is time to focus seriously on its potential for good.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

• Ad hominem fallacy
• Post hoc fallacy
• Appeal to authority fallacy
• False cause fallacy
• Sunk cost fallacy

College essays

• Choosing Essay Topic
• Write a College Essay
• Write a Diversity Essay
• College Essay Format & Structure
• Comparing and Contrasting in an Essay

 (AI) Tools

• Grammar Checker
• Paraphrasing Tool
• Text Summarizer
• AI Detector
• Plagiarism Checker
• Citation Generator

An argumentative essay tends to be a longer essay involving independent research, and aims to make an original argument about a topic. Its thesis statement makes a contentious claim that must be supported in an objective, evidence-based way.

An expository essay also aims to be objective, but it doesn’t have to make an original argument. Rather, it aims to explain something (e.g., a process or idea) in a clear, concise way. Expository essays are often shorter assignments and rely less on research.

At college level, you must properly cite your sources in all essays , research papers , and other academic texts (except exams and in-class exercises).

Add a citation whenever you quote , paraphrase , or summarize information or ideas from a source. You should also give full source details in a bibliography or reference list at the end of your text.

The exact format of your citations depends on which citation style you are instructed to use. The most common styles are APA , MLA , and Chicago .

The majority of the essays written at university are some sort of argumentative essay . Unless otherwise specified, you can assume that the goal of any essay you’re asked to write is argumentative: To convince the reader of your position using evidence and reasoning.

In composition classes you might be given assignments that specifically test your ability to write an argumentative essay. Look out for prompts including instructions like “argue,” “assess,” or “discuss” to see if this is the goal.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Caulfield, J. (2023, July 23). How to Write an Argumentative Essay | Examples & Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved April 6, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/argumentative-essay/

Is this article helpful?

Jack Caulfield

Other students also liked, how to write a thesis statement | 4 steps & examples, how to write topic sentences | 4 steps, examples & purpose, how to write an expository essay, unlimited academic ai-proofreading.

✔ Document error-free in 5minutes ✔ Unlimited document corrections ✔ Specialized in correcting academic texts

• Undergraduate
• High School
• Architecture
• American History
• Asian History
• Antique Literature
• American Literature
• Asian Literature
• Classic English Literature
• World Literature
• Creative Writing
• Linguistics
• Criminal Justice
• Legal Issues
• Anthropology
• Archaeology
• Political Science
• World Affairs
• African-American Studies
• East European Studies
• Latin-American Studies
• Native-American Studies
• West European Studies
• Family and Consumer Science
• Social Issues
• Women and Gender Studies
• Social Work
• Natural Sciences
• Pharmacology
• Earth science
• Agriculture
• Agricultural Studies
• Computer Science
• IT Management
• Mathematics
• Investments
• Engineering and Technology
• Engineering
• Aeronautics
• Medicine and Health
• Alternative Medicine
• Communications and Media
• Advertising
• Communication Strategies
• Public Relations
• Educational Theories
• Teacher's Career
• Chicago/Turabian
• Company Analysis
• Education Theories
• Shakespeare
• Canadian Studies
• Food Safety
• Relation of Global Warming and Extreme Weather Condition
• Movie Review
• Admission Essay
• Annotated Bibliography

Application Essay

• Article Critique

Article Review

• Article Writing
• Book Review
• Business Plan
• Business Proposal
• Capstone Project
• Cover Letter
• Creative Essay
• Dissertation
• Dissertation - Abstract
• Dissertation - Conclusion
• Dissertation - Discussion
• Dissertation - Hypothesis
• Dissertation - Introduction
• Dissertation - Literature
• Dissertation - Methodology
• Dissertation - Results
• GCSE Coursework
• Grant Proposal
• Marketing Plan
• Multiple Choice Quiz
• Personal Statement
• Power Point Presentation
• Power Point Presentation With Speaker Notes
• Questionnaire
• Reaction Paper
• Research Paper
• Research Proposal
• SWOT analysis
• Thesis Paper
• Online Quiz
• Literature Review
• Movie Analysis
• Statistics problem
• Math Problem
• All papers examples
• How It Works
• Money Back Policy
• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• We Are Hiring

Rule of Life, Application Essay Example

Pages: 4

Words: 988

Hire a Writer for Custom Application Essay

Use 10% Off Discount: "custom10" in 1 Click 👇

You are free to use it as an inspiration or a source for your own work.

A Rule of life is a system that allows one to remain focused on his inner development to follow the life path he has chosen for himself. The rule of life described in this paper is one that allows the follower to remain devoted to his intended transformation regardless of the environment. The rule of life must become the foundation of all life decisions in order to be effective. There are seven principles upon which the present rule of life is based, and which will be detailed below.

The first principle is that one has to look for the little miracles that happen every day around us, such as a rainbow after the rain, a smile on mother’s face or making a new friend. Noticing the little things that makes life beautiful and what is more, increases spirituality by admitting and recognizing that miracles happen all the time, and one has to notice them, and really stop and admire and appreciate them. What is more, from time to time, one has stop and recapitulate what he has seen and witnessed. Moreover, paying attention to sounds in the home or in nature can be a rewarding experience because it offers the possibility to be delighted by simple and unimportant things and to discover meaning where seems to be none.

The second principle refers to paying attention to the body each and every dy. This includes practicing a sport, dancing, or running, praying, doing chores or everything combined. All these activities are healthy and provide psychological comfort. Each of them can carry a spiritual dimension and in each of them may be transformed into a ritual that not only maintains the body fit, but also preserves the soul clean. By combining the bodily movements involved in each of these activities with a motivational tune, a prayer, or with repetitive statements of purpose, it is easy to really give a higher meaning to the activity and let it become an important part of the day.

Managing money with responsibility is the third principle. It is important to value products well, and spend money with care only for important things. It is easy to buy things that one does not actually need, so one needs to be very careful and think twice before spending money, evaluating the product in terms of its use value. While one has to be restraint when spending money, he also has to be generous when giving it away to the needy. Performing charitable acts enhances the spirit and helps one to understand the true value of his possessions. Also, while it is easy to spend money on superficial things, it is harder but much more rewarding to save it by replacing some products with ones that cost less. For example, one can cook the food, instead of buying take-outs. Also, one can make the gifts for family and friends instead of buying objects with no emotional value. Therefore, managing resources with care involves thinking when they can be spared, particularly with better results.

Always being cultural sensitive is yet another principle in this rule of life. Being cultural sensitive is important not only when one travels abroad, but also at home. At home, it is important to learn about the culture of one’s neighbors, friends, colleagues, or school mates so as to be able to interact with them without fear of committing a mistake or offending the other. When traveling abroad, one has to look for as much information as possible on how to behave in particular situation. Paying attention to culture not only involves the culture of the other but also one’s own culture. Participating in cultural events and making a personal contribution in this respect not only makes one feel that he does the right thing but also feels involved more in his own community.

The fifth principle is establishing a routine. A routine involves practicing the same rituals every day and making a committing with the self to respect them every day. Apart from doing the chores, it is important that the routine comprises those aspects that one tries to improve about oneself. One must spare some time for practices that are meant to improve the areas where sins and deficiencies were identified. Also, repeating motivational phrases or mantras at certain moments or in certain occasions must become regular and habitual. This will not only help to improve the areas identified as weak or correct mistakes, but will also help to discipline and enhance self-respect.

Seeking knowledge is the sixth principle discussed here. Seeking knowledge must come from a genuine and true desire to know, and from any outside reason, such as the demand of others, or the pride of finding out that one was right. One must therefore look for information with the simple and sincere yearning to know. Apart for looking for information, one must also direct his interest towards natural things, and towards higher truth, or deeper questions. Religious and philosophical questions and the quest to find an answer whether by finding the answer within oneself, or looking for guidance to an older or wiser person are two great ways of finding knowledge. Also, by observing nature directly, one is exposed to both scientific truths, and spiritual truths.

Finally, the seventh principle is to try to discover the truth about oneself. By paying attention one’s unconscious thoughts and to dreams, one may become aware of things he did not notice about himself. Also, each person has certain reflexes, tics, is sensitive to certain things, and has certain religious beliefs. All these and many others form one’s true persona. However, the inner self may be hidden because each of us is formed by the society. Trying to discover who one really is means spending time alone, meditating, praying and paying attention to one’s actions and thoughts. By getting to know himself for whom one really is, one will be able to correct the weak points easier and more effectively.

Stuck with your Application Essay?

Get in touch with one of our experts for instant help!

Understanding the Procedures on How to Commit an Adult to a Psychiatric Hospital, Essay Example

Partner Violence and Survivor’s Chronic Health Problems, Article Review Example

Time is precious

don’t waste it!

Plagiarism-free guarantee

Privacy guarantee

Secure checkout

Money back guarantee

Related Application Essay Samples & Examples

Masters in diplomacy, application essay example.

Words: 1013

MS Information, Application Essay Example

Pages: 2

Words: 559

Master of Science in Finance, Application Essay Example

Pages: 1

Words: 265

PsyD Program, Application Essay Example

Pages: 3

Words: 815

On Call Fire Fighter, Application Essay Example

Pages: 5

Words: 1414

Glion Institute of Higher Education, Application Essay Example

Words: 622

Free Samples and Examples of Essays, Homeworks and any Papers

• Absolutely free
• Perfect homeworks
• Fast relevant search
• No registration and Anonymous

My Life My Rules

Filed Under: Essays

My Life, My Rules One day I woke up and my parents were just gone. I do not know where they went or why they did not say goodbye. Now I am all alone and have to live by my own rules. Making my own rules is very necessary because I need to set boundaries for myself in order to survive. Here are the five most important ones I have created for myself.

Rule one, must be in the house by 11. This is an important rule because if I stay out longer than that I could get lost or someone could hurt me during the night. This rule is related to my personal values because having a set time to be home helps to be organized and I think being organized makes life a lot easier. This rule will affect my life in a positive way because it will prevent bad things from happening.

Rule two, budget monthly expenses. This rule is an important rule because I need to know how much money I have and what I need and not want I want. This rule is related to my personal values because I like to be organized. This rule will affect my life in a positive way because it will help me save money and only buy what really needs to be bought.

Rule three, cut all unnecessary expenses. This rule is important because it will help save money and then I will be able to survive financially longer. This rule is related to my personal values because I always spend my money on things I do not need, but I want or impulse buys. This rule will affect my life in a positive way because I will be able to have more money to spend on things that really matter like food and supplies.

The Essay on Is Money the Most Important Thing?

Nowadays, we are living in a world where everything turns around money and luxury. People do not realize that we can find more things which are more important for our lives and happiness. Some years ago, other important things were to spend quality time with the family, talk to each other about important thing in order to be always together and be informed about what is happening to the most ...

Rule four, be polite and use manners. This rule sounds stupid but if you are living in a world without parents, being rude to people is not going to get you anywhere. This rule relates to my personal values because when I hold a door for someone and they do not say thank you, I just say you are welcome loud enough so they hear so they realize I am not their slave and should acknowledge I am there and did something kind for them. This rule will affect my life in a positive way because people will realize I care when they do something nice for me.

Rule five, if you are all by yourself do not try and do something that you are unsure if you are able to do. For example do not try and lift something really heavy that would take 4 people to lift by yourself. This rule is related to my personal life because if you do not know if you can do it you should not try it without help. I have tried to do things by myself and it never ends well. This rule will affect my life in a positive way because it will prevent me from getting hurt and possibly dying.

Living by rules is important because you never know what can happen when you are by yourself. If you set yourself rules before a situation happens you will know how to react, causing less bad things to happen. Also rules help you survive longer by yourself because you will not be spending your money things you do not need. It is all about being prepared.

Similar Papers

Why personal responsibility is important.

... all things whether personal or professional. Personal Responsibility ... Personal responsibility creates a credible student. A student’s character is formulated, positive ... in life. By embracing the personal responsibility ... the past. Set accurate time ...

Success In Life Is Money

... money so money money money = success in life. I know money is not everything but everything is need money is not a priority but it still very important. ... success and happiness is not about money. Money is important and quite almost everything, No ...

Bill William Gates Rule Life Microsoft

... president with a personal driver, until you earn both. Rule 4: If you ... for competition draws him more money. He never ate at home ... he said about the 11 things that he believes do not ... to another class. Life is very different. Rule 9: Life is not divided ...

Life After Death Personal Eschatology

... Jesus as our personal savior. Later Christian teaching related Christ's redemptive role ... and Romans, life after death was not a pleasant thing. Hades, ... the world above, he ruled the kingdom of the ... and hells that are set aside for karmic retribution. ...

How Employees Relate to One Another Sets Gore Apart

... In a “systems effect” all people in an organization are affected by at least one other person, and each person ... affects the whole group or organization. By using a system approach ...

Concept Of Airplanes Important Affect Wing

... all sorts important things. Some of these would people's mail, agriculture shipments, technology and many more things that affect the world's ... Traveling by air can save a person's time and money. Nowadays you can buy a plane ticket within minutes ...

Essay on Safety Rules In Life

Students are often asked to write an essay on Safety Rules In Life in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Safety Rules In Life

What are safety rules.

Safety rules are a set of instructions that help us stay safe and avoid accidents. They tell us what to do and what not to do in different situations, like at home, at school, on the road, etc.

Importance of Safety Rules

Following safety rules is important because it helps us avoid injuries, accidents, and even death. For example, wearing a helmet while riding a bike can protect our head from injury in case of a fall.

Different Safety Rules

There are many safety rules that we should follow in different situations. For instance, looking left and right before crossing the road helps us avoid accidents. Covering our mouth and nose with a tissue while coughing or sneezing helps prevent the spread of germs.

By following safety rules, we can protect ourselves and others from harm. It’s important to learn and follow safety rules to stay safe and healthy.

250 Words Essay on Safety Rules In Life

Importance of safety rules in life.

Safety rules are essential for our well-being and protection. They guide us on how to act in different situations to prevent harm or injury to ourselves and others.

Safety at Home

At home, we must follow safety rules to prevent accidents. This includes using electrical appliances correctly, keeping sharp objects out of reach of children, and being careful when cooking or using the stairs.

Road Safety

When traveling on the road, we must obey traffic rules and regulations. These include wearing a helmet when riding a bike, wearing a seatbelt when driving a car, and stopping at red lights.

Fire Safety

It is important to be aware of fire hazards and know how to prevent them. We should keep flammable materials away from heat sources, have a fire extinguisher in our homes, and learn how to escape in case of a fire.

Safety rules are important in every aspect of our lives. By following these rules, we can protect ourselves and others from harm. We can create a safer and more enjoyable environment for everyone.

500 Words Essay on Safety Rules In Life

Understanding safety rules.

Safety rules are like a guidebook for protecting ourselves and others from danger. Imagine playing a game where you need to follow certain rules to win. Similarly, in life, following safety rules helps us avoid accidents and harm. These rules are everywhere – at home, in school, on the road, and even when we are just having fun.

Our home is where we feel the safest, but it can also be where many accidents happen if we are not careful. Keeping sharp objects like knives out of reach of young children, not playing with electrical sockets, and making sure to turn off the stove after cooking are simple safety rules we should always follow. These actions prevent injuries and keep everyone in the house safe.

School is our second home, where we spend a lot of our time learning and playing. Here, listening to our teachers and following the school’s safety guidelines is important. This includes walking calmly in the hallways to avoid bumping into others, not running on wet floors, and knowing where the emergency exits are. By doing these things, we make sure that we and our friends stay safe and happy in school.

On the Road

Whether we are walking, cycling, or traveling in a car, following road safety rules is crucial. Always use the pedestrian crossing when walking, wear helmets when cycling, and fasten our seatbelts in the car. These actions might seem small, but they have a big impact on our safety. They protect us from accidents and ensure that we reach our destination safely.

While Playing

Playing is fun, but we must remember to play safely. This means using playground equipment the way it is meant to be used, wearing protective gear like knee pads when skating or cycling, and not pushing or shoving others. Playing safely ensures that we and our friends enjoy our time together without getting hurt.

Using Technology

In today’s world, using gadgets and the internet is a big part of our lives. However, we need to be careful and follow certain safety rules, like not sharing personal information with strangers online and being kind to others on the internet. This keeps us safe from cyberbullying and protects our privacy.

Safety rules in life are like a protective shield that keeps us safe from dangers. By following these rules at home, in school, on the road, while playing, and when using technology, we ensure our safety and the safety of those around us. It is important for everyone, no matter how young or old, to understand and follow these rules. This way, we can all enjoy a happier, safer life. Remember, staying safe is not just about protecting ourselves; it’s about creating a safe environment for everyone.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
• Essay on Safeguarding the Environment
• Essay on Safeguarding

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Commercial Insights
• Wealth Insights
• Online Banking Login
• Regions Total Wealth
• Investment Account Access
• Open an Account
• En Español

Regions Riding Forward® Scholarship Contest

Their Story. Your Voice.

Your voice is your own. But it's also been impacted by others. Who, we wonder, has inspired you? Let us know by entering the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest. 

You could win an $8,000 college scholarship

For the opportunity to win an $8,000 scholarship, submit a video or written essay about an individual you know personally (who lives in your community) who has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

The details

The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest consists of four (4) separate Quarterly Contests - one for each calendar quarter of 2024. Regions is awarding four $8,000 scholarships through each Quarterly Contest.

Each Quarterly Contest has its own separate entry period, as provided in the chart below.

The entry deadline for each Quarterly Contest is 11:59:59 PM Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date (set forth in the chart above).

No purchase or banking relationship required.

Regions believes in supporting the students whose passion and actions every day will continue to make stories worth sharing. That’s why we have awarded over $1 million in total scholarships to high school and college students.

How to enter, 1. complete an online quarterly contest application.

Enter the Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest by completing a Quarterly Contest application.  The second Quarterly Contest runs from April 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024. Complete and save all requested information. 

2. Prepare your Written Essay or Video Essay

For each Quarterly Contest, the topic of your Written Essay or Video Essay (your “Essay Topic”) must be an individual you know personally, who lives in your community. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must address how the individual you have selected as your Essay Topic has inspired you and helped you build the confidence you need to achieve your goals.

Written Essay and Video Essay submissions must meet all of the requirements described in the contest Official Rules. Your Written Essay or Video Essay must be (i) in English, (ii) your own original work, created solely by you (and without the use of any means of artificial intelligence (“AI”)), and (iii) the exclusive property of you alone.

Written Essays must be 500 words or less. You can write your Written Essay directly in the application, or you can copy and paste it into the appropriate area in the application form.

Video Essay submissions must be directly uploaded to the contest application site. Video Essays must be no more than 3 minutes in length and no larger than 1 GB. Only the following file formats are accepted: MP4, MPG, MOV, AVI, and WMV. Video Essays must not contain music of any kind nor display any illegal, explicit, or inappropriate material, and Video Essays must not be password protected or require a log-in/sign-in to view. You must upload your Video Essay to the application, and you may not submit your Video Essay in DVD or other physical form. (Video Essays submitted via mail will not be reviewed or returned.)

Tips to Record Quality Videos on a Smartphone:

• Don’t shoot vertical video. Computer monitors have landscape-oriented displays, so shoot your video horizontally.
• Use a tripod. Even small movements can make a big difference when editing.
• Don’t use zoom. If you need to get a close shot of the subject, move closer as zooming can cause pixilation.
• Use natural lighting. Smartphone lighting can wash out your video.

3. Review and submit your Quarterly Contest application

Review your information on your Quarterly Application (and check the spelling of a Written Essay) and submit your entry by 11:59:59 p.m. Central Time on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date. The second Quarterly Contest period end date is June 30, 2024.

4. Await notification

Winning entries are selected by an independent panel of judges who are not affiliated with Regions. If your entry is selected as a Quarterly Contest winner, you will need to respond to ISTS with the required information.

Eligibility

For purposes of this contest:

• The “Eligible States” are defined as the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
• An “accredited college” is defined as a nonprofit, two- or four-year college or university located within one of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia.

To be eligible to enter this contest and to win an award in a Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must:

• Be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States.
• Be age 16 or older.
• Have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation.
• If you are not yet in college, begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year.
• As of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no GPA is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school).

View Official Rules

NO PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP REQUIRED. PURCHASE OR BANKING RELATIONSHIP WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The 2024 Regions Riding Forward Scholarship Contest (the “Contest”) consists of four (4) separate quarterly contests (each a “Quarterly Contest”): (1) the “Q-1 Contest;” (2) the “Q-2 Contest;” (3) the “Q-3 Contest;” and (4) the “Q-4 Contest.” The Q-1 Contest begins on 02/01/24 and ends on 03/31/24; the Q-2 Contest begins on 04/01/24 and ends on 06/30/24; the Q-3 Contest begins on 07/01/24 and ends on 09/30/24; and the Q-4 Contest begins on 10/01/24 and ends on 12/31/24. (For each Quarterly Contest, entries must be submitted and received by 11:59:59 PM CT on the applicable Quarterly Contest period end date.) To enter and participate in a particular Quarterly Contest, at the time of entry, you must: (a) be a legal U.S. resident of one of the Eligible States; (b) be 16 years of age or older; (c) have at least one (1) year (or at least 18 semester hours) remaining before college graduation; (d) (if you are not yet in college) begin your freshman year of college no later than the start of the 2025 – 2026 college academic school year; and (e) as of your most recent school enrollment period, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 in school (and if no grade point average is provided at school, be in “good standing” or the equivalent thereof in school). (For purposes of Contest, the “Eligible States” are defined as the states of AL, AR, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, NC, SC, TN and TX.) Visit regions.com/ridingforward for complete Contest details, including eligibility and Written Essay and Video Essay requirements and Official Rules. (Limit one (1) entry per person, per Quarterly Contest.) For each Quarterly Contest, eligible entries will be grouped according to form of entry (Written Essay or Video Essay) and judged by a panel of independent, qualified judges. A total of four (4) Quarterly Contest Prizes will be awarded in each Quarterly Contest, consisting of two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Written Essay Entry Group and two (2) Quarterly Contest Prizes for the Video Essay Entry Group. Each Quarterly Contest Prize consists of a check in the amount of $8,000 made out to winner’s designated accredited college. (Limit one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize per person; a contestant is permitted to win only one (1) Quarterly Contest Prize through the Contest.) Sponsor: Regions Bank, 1900 Fifth Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203.

© 2024 Regions Bank. All rights reserved. Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. Regions and the Regions logo are registered trademarks of Regions Bank. The LifeGreen color is a trademark of Regions Bank.

2023 Winners

High school:.

• Amyrrean Acoff
• Leon Aldridge
• Kharis Andrews
• Colton Collier
• Indya Griffin
• Christopher Hak
• Aquil Hayes
• Jayden Haynes
• McKenna Jodoin
• Paris Kelly
• Liza Latimer
• Dylan Lodle
• Anna Mammarelli
• Karrington Manley
• Marcellus Odum
• Gautami Palthepu
• Melody Small
• Lauryn Tanner
• Joshua Wilson
• Mohamed Ali
• Kayla Bellamy
• Lauren Boxx
• Alexandria Brown
• Samuel Brown
• Thurston Brown
• Conner Daehler
• Tsehai de Souza
• Anjel Echols
• Samarion Flowers
• Trinity Griffin
• Kristina Hilton
• Ryan Jensen
• Miracle Jones
• Shaniece McGhee
• Chelby Melvin
• Lamiya Ousley
• Kiera Phillips
• Gabrielle Pippins
• Ethan Snead
• Sydney Springs
• Kirsten Tilford
• Tamira Weeks
• Justin Williams

2022 Winners

• Paul Aucremann
• William Booker
• Robyn Cunningham
• Kani'ya Davis
• Oluwatomi Dugbo
• Lillian Goins
• Parker Hall
• Collin Hatfield
• Gabrielle Izu
• Kylie Lauderdale
• Jacob Milan
• Jackson Mitchell
• Carmen Moore
• Madison Morgan
• Kaden Oquelí-White
• Kaylin Parks
• Brian Perryman
• De'Marco Riggins
• Brianna Roundtree
• Sydney Russell
• Carlie Spore
• Morgan Standifer
• Ionia Thomas
• Ramaya Thomas
• Jaylen Toran
• Amani Veals
• Taylor Williams
• Alana Wilson
• Taryn Wilson
• Aryaunna Armstrong
• Hannah Blackwell
• T'Aneka Bowers
• Naomi Bradley
• Arianna Cannon
• Taylor Cline
• Catherine Cummings
• Margaret Fitzgerald
• Chloe Franklin
• Camryn Gaines
• Thomas Greer
• Kayla Helleson
• Veronica Holmes
• Logan Kurtz
• Samuel Lambert
• Jaylon Muchison
• Teresa Odom
• Andrew Payne
• Carey Price
• Emily SantiAnna
• Curtis Smith
• Jered Smith
• Mariah Standifer
• Maura Taylor
• Anna Wilkes

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

• LISTEN & FOLLOW
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Amazon Music

Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.

What is the new etiquette for tipping?

Stacey Vanek Smith

What are the new rules for tipping?

Businesses that never seemed to ask for a tip before — like grocery stores, self-checkout machines and fast food restaurants — are now asking for one these days.

While some of our experts say much of the etiquette remains the same (for example, if you're not sure about who or how much to tip, don't be afraid to ask), there are a few new variables to keep in mind.

How to deal with unexpected tip requests

If a business you don't expect to ask for a tip is suddenly asking you for a tip, what should you do?

It's up to you to decide whether or not to tip and how much. But Shubhranshu Singh , a marketing professor at Johns Hopkins University, likes to leave a 10% tip. If an establishment is asking for a tip, it's often an indication that the workers there are not getting paid a minimum wage. So it's good to err on the side of leaving something.

Beware of 'screen pressure'

Some businesses load their payment systems with default minimum tip options of more than 20%. If you don't want to give that much, don't worry about holding up the line to take an extra moment to select the "custom tip" option, says Singh.

To tip or not to tip? 3 reasons why tipping has gotten so out of control

When in doubt, ask.

If you're not sure whether you should tip or how much, simply ask the person who is serving you, says Singh. He shares some helpful questions:

• What is the minimum and subminimum wage in your state?  If the subminimum wage is low, your tip will help the employee make a livable wage. If there is no subminimum wage, tips are actually gratuity. 
• Do you keep your whole tip?  Some payment systems like Square take a portion of the tip, so that may be a factor in how much you decide to leave behind. 
• How can I make sure you're getting my tip?  Some businesses might not be tipping the person you think your money's going to.    

If you don't feel comfortable asking these questions, Singh says you can always tip in cash. "Then you know you are giving that person money right there."

Don't forget to tip people who you might not have a direct interaction with, like hotel housekeepers, says Singh.

Why tipping culture has changed

Tipping expectations have grown over the past few years. According to a 2023 Pew Research survey of nearly 12,000 adults in the U.S., about 72% say they are being asked to tip service workers more frequently than in the past. And only about a third say it's "extremely or very easy" to know when and how much to tip.

One of the reasons is the pandemic. We started tipping people we didn't use to tip and tipping more than usual as a way to support essential workers at a time of crisis, Singh.

At the same time, the technology around how we pay has changed, says Singh. Square, the company behind many electronic payment screens gets a cut of each transaction, including the tip . So creating software that encourages tipping (and encourages big tips) means more money for companies like Square.

Tipping is also a way to pay workers more without actually raising their wages. It allows restaurants to get more money to workers while still keeping their prices low, says Sean Jung , a professor at Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration.

Why we tip in America

In the U.S., we have a two-tier wage system, says Sylvia Allegretto , a senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research who has done extensive research on wages and tipping. "We have minimum wages and then we have subminimum or cash wages paid to workers who are tipped."

There's the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, but every state has the ability to set their own minimum wage. Some states have minimum wages that are more than twice that.

There's also a subminimum wage. That is a wage some service workers get paid that is below minimum wage. The idea is that workers earn a subminimum wage and then customer tips make up the difference to get workers up to minimum wage.

Throughline

The land of the fee.

When deciding how much to tip, it can be helpful to look up the minimum and subminimum wages of your state, says Allegretto. The think tank Economic Policy Institute has a wage tracker that can help you find this information.

The tip you leave for a server in one state might mean something different to a server in another. In Washington state, for example, the minimum wage is more than $16 an hour and there is no subminimum wage for workers like servers. Meanwhile in Tennessee, the subminimum wage is $2.13 — so your server is probably counting on the extra change you leave for your pie and coffee.

The podcast version of this story was produced by Audrey Nguyen . The digital story was written by Malaka Gharib and edited by Clare Marie Schneider. The visual editor is Beck Harlan. We'd love to hear from you. Leave us a voicemail at 202-216-9823, or email us at [email protected] .

Listen to Life Kit on Apple Podcasts and Spotify , and sign up for our newsletter .

Correction March 29, 2024

A previous version of this story incorrectly said that some payment systems like Square take a portion of the tip. While Square charges a fee based on the whole transaction, including tip, a representative from Square says the worker still gets the full amount of their tip.

• minimum wage

• Newsletters
• Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out

Navel Gazing

John dickerson’s notebooks: an exploration of inklings.

Living room declarations, the Sunday Scaries, conversational bids and more are explored in this week’s audio essay from John Dickerson.

Listen & Subscribe

Choose your preferred player:

• Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Music

Please enable javascript to get your Slate Plus feeds.

Get Your Slate Plus Podcast

If you can't access your feeds, please contact customer support.

Thanks! Check your phone for a link to finish setting up your feed.

Please enter a 10-digit phone number.

Listen on your phone: RECOMMENDED

Enter your phone number and we'll text you a link to set up the podcast in your app:

We'll only text you about setting up this podcast, no spam.

Listen on your computer:

Apple Podcasts will only work on MacOS operating systems since Catalina . We do not support Android apps on desktop at this time.

Listen on your device: RECOMMENDED

These links will only work if you're on the device you listen to podcasts on. We do not support Stitcher at this time.

Set up manually:

How does this work?

We're sorry, but something went wrong while fetching your podcast feeds. Please contact us at [email protected] for help.

Episode Notes

In this week’s essay, John Dickerson looks back on a Sunday morning in 2021, and ruminates on the empty spaces left behind by the people that once filled our lives.

Notebook Entries:

Notebook 75, page 6. September 5, 2021:

“Oh my god. We dropped our son at college and our dog is dead.” – Anne.

References:

“Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Johnny Cash

“ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock ” by T.S. Eliot

“ When Someone You Love is Upset, Ask This One Question ” by Jancee Dunn for the  New York Times

“ A Case of ‘Sunday Neurosis’ ” by Jena McGregor for the  Washington Post

“ Waking Early Sunday Morning ” by Robert Lowell

Master of Change: How to Excel When Everything is Changing  by Brad Stulberg

Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed

“Alabama Pines” by Jason Isbell

Podcast production by Cheyna Roth.

• Relationships

About the Show

Political Gabfest host John Dickerson has been a journalist for more than three decades, reporting about presidential campaigns, political scandals, and the evolving state of our democracy. Along the way, he’s also been recording his observations in notebooks he has carried in his back pocket. He has captured his thoughts about life, parenthood, death, friendship, writing, God, to-do lists, and more. On the Navel Gazing podcast, John Dickerson invites you to join him in figuring out what these 30 years of notebooks mean: sorting out what makes a life—or a day in a life—noteworthy.

John Dickerson is host of CBS News Prime Time With John Dickerson , co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest, host of the Whistlestop podcast, and author of The Hardest Job in the World .

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes
• Entertainment

Vanderpump Rules A lum Faith Stowers is Suing Bravo and NBC Universal Over Racial Harassment and Retaliation

In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the reality star says she faced “racism, sexual harassment and physical assault” during her time on the show

Gabe Ginsberg/Getty

Faith Stowers filed a lawsuit on Friday, April 5, against Bravo and its parent company NBCUniversal for charges that include discrimination, retaliation and enabling a hostile work environment.

In court documents obtained by PEOPLE, the former Vanderpump Rules star claims she was subjected to “racism, sexual harassment and physical assault” during season 4 of the reality show when she joined the cast.

Stowers, who appeared on seasons 4 and 5 of Vanderpump Rules, specifically calls out several former castmembers in her lawsuit. She claims that, during a tense verbal and physical argument, Lala Kent held a knife to Stowers’ neck and threatened to “cut a bitch.”

She also alleges that Stassi Schroeder and Kristen Doute claimed that Stowers went “AWOL” from the United States Army and was a “serial criminal” who drugged and robbed men in Los Angeles. In addition, the reality star claims the pair filed a “false” police report listing Stowers as the assailant.  

“The only similarities between Stowers and the assailant were their gender and skin color,” the lawsuit states.

Stowers, who is Black, alleges these efforts amounted to a “brazen and defamatory campaign” of “racial harassment” intended to “harm” her and her credibility. And when she expressed her concerns to NBC and Vanderpump Rules’ production company Evolution Media, Stowers claims she was “warned” to “keep quiet and play nice.” The reality star claims she was eventually demoted to an unpaid “volunteer.”

Reps for Bravo, NBC, Kent, Doute and Schroeder did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

Jerritt Clark/WireImage

One insider close to Kent denied Stowers’ allegations. “There’s no basis to any of these allegations,” the insider told PEOPLE. “It’s convenient she has a podcast coming out this Sunday and she’s doing a new movie with [Kent's ex] Randall Emmett, so [it] feel like this is no accident.”

Schroeder and Doute, for their part, previously weighed in on past racially insensitive behavior days after being fired from Vanderpump Rules in June 2020. Schroeder confirmed in 2018 she called police about Stowers during an appearance on the  Bitch Bible  podcast.

At the time, Doute also weighed in a now-deleted tweet that included a link to a news story about then-at-large female suspect, writing, "hey tweeties, doesn't this ex #pumprules thief look familiar? someone put her on mtv & gave her a platform for press. I didn't wanna go there but I'm going there."

"Stassi and Kristen acknowledged what they did was wrong, have apologized and been punished," Schroeder and Doute's rep, Steve Honig, told PEOPLE at the time. "Without casting aside their actions or the impact of those actions, they want to move forward as part of the solution in ways that are productive, meaningful and sincere. Both of them recognize actions speak louder than words and that is what will guide them as they move forward."

Doute recently returned to Bravo in a new reality show, The Valley, alongside other Vanderpump Rules alum, including Jax Taylor and  Brittany Cartwright . Schroeder, who has not been back on the network since being fired, runs her introspective podcast Stassi .

Stowers plans on debuting her own podcast The Frequency with Marcus Millions on April 7. The reality star told Variety on Thursday she would be candid there about her time on Vanderpump Rules.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I’m going to be saying everything I didn’t say to be politically correct,” Stowers told the outlet. “I wanted to be a voice for my Black community. I wanted to make sure that people who were going through what I was going through had a blueprint so they didn’t make the same mistakes I made or feel powerful enough to speak out immediately instead of having to be scared like I was.”

Season 11 of Vanderpump Rules is currently airing on Bravo.

Related Articles

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Guest Essay

The Supreme Court Got It Wrong: Abortion Is Not Settled Law

By Melissa Murray and Kate Shaw

Ms. Murray is a law professor at New York University. Ms. Shaw is a contributing Opinion writer.

In his majority opinion in the case overturning Roe v. Wade, Justice Samuel Alito insisted that the high court was finally settling the vexed abortion debate by returning the “authority to regulate abortion” to the “people and their elected representatives.”

Despite these assurances, less than two years after Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, abortion is back at the Supreme Court. In the next month, the justices will hear arguments in two high-stakes cases that may shape the future of access to medication abortion and to lifesaving care for pregnancy emergencies. These cases make clear that Dobbs did not settle the question of abortion in America — instead, it generated a new slate of questions. One of those questions involves the interaction of existing legal rules with the concept of fetal personhood — the view, held by many in the anti-abortion movement, that a fetus is a person entitled to the same rights and protections as any other person.

The first case , scheduled for argument on Tuesday, F.D.A. v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, is a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration’s protocols for approving and regulating mifepristone, one of the two drugs used for medication abortions. An anti-abortion physicians’ group argues that the F.D.A. acted unlawfully when it relaxed existing restrictions on the use and distribution of mifepristone in 2016 and 2021. In 2016, the agency implemented changes that allowed the use of mifepristone up to 10 weeks of pregnancy, rather than seven; reduced the number of required in-person visits for dispensing the drug from three to one; and allowed the drug to be prescribed by individuals like nurse practitioners. In 2021, it eliminated the in-person visit requirement, clearing the way for the drug to be dispensed by mail. The physicians’ group has urged the court to throw out those regulations and reinstate the previous, more restrictive regulations surrounding the drug — a ruling that could affect access to the drug in every state, regardless of the state’s abortion politics.

The second case, scheduled for argument on April 24, involves the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (known by doctors and health policymakers as EMTALA ), which requires federally funded hospitals to provide patients, including pregnant patients, with stabilizing care or transfer to a hospital that can provide such care. At issue is the law’s interaction with state laws that severely restrict abortion, like an Idaho law that bans abortion except in cases of rape or incest and circumstances where abortion is “necessary to prevent the death of the pregnant woman.”

Although the Idaho law limits the provision of abortion care to circumstances where death is imminent, the federal government argues that under EMTALA and basic principles of federal supremacy, pregnant patients experiencing emergencies at federally funded hospitals in Idaho are entitled to abortion care, even if they are not in danger of imminent death.

These cases may be framed in the technical jargon of administrative law and federal pre-emption doctrine, but both cases involve incredibly high-stakes issues for the lives and health of pregnant persons — and offer the court an opportunity to shape the landscape of abortion access in the post-Roe era.

These two cases may also give the court a chance to seed new ground for fetal personhood. Woven throughout both cases are arguments that gesture toward the view that a fetus is a person.

If that is the case, the legal rules that would typically hold sway in these cases might not apply. If these questions must account for the rights and entitlements of the fetus, the entire calculus is upended.

In this new scenario, the issue is not simply whether EMTALA’s protections for pregnant patients pre-empt Idaho’s abortion ban, but rather which set of interests — the patient’s or the fetus’s — should be prioritized in the contest between state and federal law. Likewise, the analysis of F.D.A. regulatory protocols is entirely different if one of the arguments is that the drug to be regulated may be used to end a life.

Neither case presents the justices with a clear opportunity to endorse the notion of fetal personhood — but such claims are lurking beneath the surface. The Idaho abortion ban is called the Defense of Life Act, and in its first bill introduced in 2024, the Idaho Legislature proposed replacing the term “fetus” with “preborn child” in existing Idaho law. In its briefs before the court, Idaho continues to beat the drum of fetal personhood, insisting that EMTALA protects the unborn — rather than pregnant women who need abortions during health emergencies.

According to the state, nothing in EMTALA imposes an obligation to provide stabilizing abortion care for pregnant women. Rather, the law “actually requires stabilizing treatment for the unborn children of pregnant women.” In the mifepristone case, advocates referred to fetuses as “unborn children,” while the district judge in Texas who invalidated F.D.A. approval of the drug described it as one that “starves the unborn human until death.”

Fetal personhood language is in ascent throughout the country. In a recent decision , the Alabama Supreme Court allowed a wrongful-death suit for the destruction of frozen embryos intended for in vitro fertilization, or I.V.F. — embryos that the court characterized as “extrauterine children.”

Less discussed but as worrisome is a recent oral argument at the Florida Supreme Court concerning a proposed ballot initiative intended to enshrine a right to reproductive freedom in the state’s Constitution. In considering the proposed initiative, the chief justice of the state Supreme Court repeatedly peppered Nathan Forrester, the senior deputy solicitor general who was representing the state, with questions about whether the state recognized the fetus as a person under the Florida Constitution. The point was plain: If the fetus was a person, then the proposed ballot initiative, and its protections for reproductive rights, would change the fetus’s rights under the law, raising constitutional questions.

As these cases make clear, the drive toward fetal personhood goes beyond simply recasting abortion as homicide. If the fetus is a person, any act that involves reproduction may implicate fetal rights. Fetal personhood thus has strong potential to raise questions about access to abortion, contraception and various forms of assisted reproductive technology, including I.V.F.

In response to the shifting landscape of reproductive rights, President Biden has pledged to “restore Roe v. Wade as the law of the land.” Roe and its successor, Planned Parenthood v. Casey, were far from perfect; they afforded states significant leeway to impose onerous restrictions on abortion, making meaningful access an empty promise for many women and families of limited means. But the two decisions reflected a constitutional vision that, at least in theory, protected the liberty to make certain intimate choices — including choices surrounding if, when and how to become a parent.

Under the logic of Roe and Casey, the enforceability of EMTALA, the F.D.A.’s power to regulate mifepristone and access to I.V.F. weren’t in question. But in the post-Dobbs landscape, all bets are off. We no longer live in a world in which a shared conception of constitutional liberty makes a ban on I.V.F. or certain forms of contraception beyond the pale.

Melissa Murray, a law professor at New York University and a host of the Supreme Court podcast “ Strict Scrutiny ,” is a co-author of “ The Trump Indictments : The Historic Charging Documents With Commentary.”

Kate Shaw is a contributing Opinion writer, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School and a host of the Supreme Court podcast “Strict Scrutiny.” She served as a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens and Judge Richard Posner.