Excerpt from 12 RULES OF LIFE by Jordon Peterson cont…
Rule #2: Treat yourself like you are someone you are responsible for helping.
Whether or not we identify as Christian, most of us are familiar with the Bible’s golden rule is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31 NIV)
In chapter two of Peterson’s book, he explains that this injunction is as
much a call to care for our neighbors as it is a call to care for ourselves.
Most of us are far better at helping others than we are at helping ourselves.
If called upon to care for a sick animal, for example, most of us would carefully follow the protocol laid out for us.
We would take the animal to the vet. We would fill the prescription. We would be present and available to care for the animal’s needs.
But when it comes to our own needs, how attentive are we? Year after
year, studies continue to show that as much as 20 or 30% of medical
prescriptions are never filled. And as much as 50% of medication given to individuals with chronic disease is not taken as prescribed. And medicine is only one example of
the way we should be properly caring for ourselves.
As human beings, we can be self-critical to a fault. Peterson writes…
“We deserve some respect. You deserve some respect. You are
important to other people as much to yourself. You have some vital
role to play in the unfolding destiny of the world. You are, therefore,
morally obliged to take care of yourself.” Jordan Peterson
Rule #2 Summary:
“You must help a child become a virtuous, responsible, awake being,
capable of full reciprocity – able to take care of himself and others
and to thrive while doing so. Why would you think it acceptable to do
anything less for yourself?” – Jordan Peterson
