Sonia Cullington say's "Why do RULES have such power over our minds?"

Rules versus Guidelines- "You're pirates. Hang the code and hand the rules. They're more like guidelines anyway." This line by Kiera Knightley, as Elizabeth in the movie, Pirates of the Caribbean suggests that guidelines can be bent or broken.

"Our ambition should be to rule ourselves, the true kingdom for each one of us; and true progress is to know more, and be more, and to do more." Oscar Wilde

But is there a rule by which you can tell the difference? Yes, but it is a rule that is made to be broken. In consequence, it is not particularly useful. Then again, few rules are useful. The more of these you have, the more transgressions you have to deal with, punish, apologise for or turn a blind eye to.  Most people most of the time assent to a conglomeration of moral rules which they do not bother to question or examine. These rules are usually those we have been taught in childhood and I believe are mandatory e.g "Don't tell lies" and "Bathe" "Brush your teeth" or “Study”…

The first rule of business is: Do other men for they would do you.
Charles Dickens

I have a close friend who is a very practical person but hates the word ‘system’ from the core of his heart. As a human being he has a certain protocol that he follows and he feels he has enough of his own liberty to define his own behaviour, particularly in business, I would call this person a ‘Rule Rebel’.  A business rule defines or constrains one aspect of your business that is intended to assert business structure or influence the behaviour of your business. Business rules often focus on access control issues. So is there a price to pay for being a ‘Rule Rebel?’ Over reacting to the smallest issues, then spend nights working on recovery, only to do the same thing again, swinging to and fro can be draining or exhilarating! YOU choose...

 “Never permit a dichotomy to rule your life, a dichotomy in which you hate what you do so you can have pleasure in your spare time. Look for a situation in which your work will give you as much happiness as your spare time.”  Pablo Picasso

 

So, what do you keep as hard and fast rules and what are more flexible guidelines?

Health & Fitness Rules:
I find that rules are what you need to stick too to prevent your plan from going way off target e.g a rule of only allowing  yourself an alcoholic drink on weekends prevents week night drinking that you are not confident controlling. The rule keeps you safe.

Another example may be more like a guideline, like aiming to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day. If you manage to drink 5 glasses, you’ve still made a good attempt and your plan won’t go off track because you missed a couple of glasses of water.

Rules might include; no more than 2 days without exercise, not eating after dinner, or shopping when hungry. You need to keep the rules that keep you on Target. Guidelines are more flexible and help you build a nutrient rich diet.

 My Golden Rule for eating is “Hari Hachi Bu”

 In Okinawa, Japan, elders use this simple statement for their eating philosophy, which translates into “Eat until you are eight parts full” I recommend you follow the 80/20 RULE– make an effort and eat the right foods 80% of the time, and let your hair down the other 20%. Just don’t be surprised if it ends up being only 10% as your energy, health and motivation builds with each consecutive day of healthy eating! Okinawans have the longest life expectancy on the planet, as well as the highest concentration of centenarians (those who live to the ripe old age of 100). Stopping at 80% capacity works because the stomach’s stretch receptors take about 20 minutes to tell the body that’s how full it is.

I could not finish this blog piece without mentioning the Moral Rule...

The Bible begins with the creation. The day Adam was created he was given six moral ethical rules of law and the prohibition of eating from the Tree of Knowledge...

Whilst preparing this blog, different people had different opinions, I would like to share one which made me smile..."Well I heard that Adam was the first man and Eve was the first lady as per the bible's content. But I have never read that they got married before they gave birth to a child, not that I want to sleep with a girl right away, but it's a thought, no offence.(This brings us to one of the biggest Rules - MARRIAGE) OK marriage is a very beautiful thing and it should be valued, but what should I do if I don't like my wife anymore and want to sleep with some other girl" Maybe I should write a big blog piece on this, any comment's ladies? What if we did not want to sleep with our lover, boyfriend, husband anymore...(-_-)

My rule on this...You're coming alive, no longer armed with a set of rules and measurements about how love should be, instead hopefully, engaging in the immeasurable moment.

Your In Fun & Fitness

Sonia Cullington / Founder of WOW Fitness

"If you obey all the RULES, you miss all the FUN!!!!"