Having a code to live by is a great approach to life but then, we shouldn’t be so hell-bent on our codes because the truth is sometimes we live by the wrong codes, hence, we should always hold firm to our codes but be willing to make necessary adjustments when necessary. Trying to be rigid with our principles or codes tells how much disciplined we are but then, it will only become foolishness of us if we don’t know when we have to change or make adjustments.
Also, on the other end, there are some persons that find having a code to live by as a limitation too (funny enough this is their code they live by, hehe). Well, I believe the distractions around us are already too much not to have something that guides us and keep us in check. Having codes is just a way of keeping yourself in check and helping others understand the kind of person you are better and know how to respect and appreciate you better. Growing up, I never for once took time out to list out the codes I live by but then I knew I had codes I lived and I’m living by.
But now that I have to answer this question, it has helped me think more clearly on what my code of conducts are as a person. I actually have different codes I live by but the end results of all of them is to make myself happy while trying to please God. I love being happy and that has also helped me understand that I should also be able to make others happy also if I truly want to be happy. And that brings us to what my code of conduct is, which is, ”Do to others as you’d want others to do to you”. Most times I always find myself doing to others what I won’t appreciate if someone else was to do that same thing to me.
I’m still struggling with it but then I get better by the day. Now, anytime I do anything to someone that I won’t like someone else to do to me, I always appreciate it when my attention is drawn to it so I’d be ashamed of myself and do better next time. Well, I didn’t just wake up one day to start living by this code. At first, I read it in the Bible and it made so much sense to me and I told myself that it was a good principle to live by because it is one that encourages me to love others better. I also once saw a movie that portrayed the need for doing to others as we would like them to do to us. At that point, it all added up even more.
During that period when I started working on living by this code of conduct, it became clearer those things I did to others that I wouldn’t want them to do to me. I started seeing more of my wrongs than the other person’s wrongs and it helped me become a better me. Once, my younger brother and I had a conversation, I tried advising him on a few things as the elder sister I am but then, he pointed out that I didn’t like listening to others but then I like giving advice, lol. It stroked me really hard and I took some time to reflect on that and I started listening to others advice more and I realized most of them was even for my own betterment.
Now, I’m still yet to fully live by this code but then I have seen great improvements in my life and even in the lives of those around me. It may be little, but I know I do have some persons around me that this code of mine has helped them want to also do better. I always have this satisfaction in myself every time I live by this code of conduct and so far, I have not had need of changing it, all I have to do is keep getting better at abiding by it.
This is my response to the hivelearners topic on A Code I Live By and it’s a pleasure sharing it with you.