Betty's View of Philosophy

(Note: You can skip this part and go right on to Betty's Rules of Life if you already know about philosophy and worldviews)

Everyone has a philosophy of life whether they know it or not. The way we are treated, from the moment of conception, shapes the way we respond to the world around us. The product of this shaping process is our personal philosophy of life or worldview.

Worldviews are dynamic interpretations of our personal universe and, thus, ever changing. A person’s overall worldview tends to be stable, but significant emotional events (SEEs), such as extraordinary events and insights, can radically change a worldview in an instance.

A classic example of this is the apple falling on Sir Isaac Newton’s head leading to his understanding of gravity (yes, I know it is a fable but bear with me here). Before that moment of insight, the concept of gravity didn’t exist in any formal way. Things fell to earth, but no one (that we know of) had ever figured out what law of physics caused that action.

Once the apple fell, so to speak, the worldview of Sir Isaac radically changed. Because this insight was so important, it went on to change the worldview of science. This leads us to another principle of worldviews—they are shared with others. In modern terms, your worldview is interactive because it influences and is influenced by others.

For example, if you have a poor self-image of yourself you will project a persona to others that you are unworthy, unlovable, or defective. Since, people are drawn to success, and shy away from failure, they will probably avoid you whenever possible. This will reinforce your self-image of failure, which, in turn, will reinforce your worldview that life isn’t very enjoyable.

On the other hand, is you have a good self-image, then others probably see you as someone who finds joy in life and the company of others. As a result, they will seek out your company and reinforce your worldview that life and the company of others is enjoyable.

Some people see self-image and worldview as two distinct things. However, this model separates us from our external world and each other. A more holistic view sees self-image and worldview as two aspects of the same thing that are interdependent on each other. It is similar to the chicken and the egg; the chicken depends on the egg and the egg depends on the chicken.

Your worldview is influenced by both the external world outside you (macroenvironment) and the internal world inside you (microenvironment). The macroenvironment is composed of people, physical objects, processes (such as mutation), events (such as war) and organizations (such as Sierra Club), and forces (such as gravity), physical elements (such as Hydrogen), and other organisms (such as plants and animals). The microenvironment is your physical, social, mental, and spiritual health.

Your worldview is the glue that holds your universe together. When a person is unable to form a coherent, functional worldview, their personality disintegrates and they often experience significant mental illness such as Dissociative Identity Disorder and Antisocial Personality Disorder. Survivors of childhood abuse and cataclysmic events, such as the bombing of the World Trade Center, are at high risk for some degree of mental illness.

To remain sane, people develop a dynamic set of rules about life. These rules are based on their personal interaction with the world and they become the foundation for their personal philosophy of life, or worldview.

Following are some of the general rules I have developed from years of dealing with an unpredictable world. They are the basis for my unique (and some might say crazy) worldview. "Nothing is new under the sun" and my rules for life are no exception. While I hope my wording is unique, it may be very similar to, or exactly the same as, what someone else has previously published. If that is the case, I offer my sincere apologies and I will be happy to give correct attribution if you will send me your citation information.

Betty’s Rules of Life

Life and Death

Life is a cosmic, interactive game. We are given a only few general rules, such as don’t kill unnecessarily and try to treat others as we would like to be treated. The other rules are made up as we go along and are unique to the individual player and situation.
There will always be reasons for breaking these rules because the game of life is full of exceptions to the rule. Dwelling on this contradiction is a sure-fire way to lose your mind. Just go with the flow.
Our lives begin before conception. Two people agree, whether spoken or not, to merge their personal energies into the creation of something new. Therefore, all new people start out as wanted. However, since exceptions are the rule, this desire to create may change, after the new life has begun, which leads us to the next rule of life.
The desire to create a new person and the willingness to nurture that person are two vastly different things. Men are generally willing to create but not always willing to nurture whereas women are generally willing to create and nurture.
Nothing in life goes as planned. The more important it is to get it right, the more likely it is to go wrong. Live with it.
Never say, “never.” Just as sure as you say you won’t do, think, or feel something you will. This is one rule that rarely has an exception.
The world is what you make it. If it is bad, you made it that way so quit griping. If you don’t like it change it.
Insanity is knowing that something won’t work and doing it anyway.
Those that have will get more because they’ve figured out how to get what they want. The rest of us need to learn how to do this.
What’s here today will be gone tomorrow. Quit whining and deal with it.
We don’t really die, we just move on to new experiences.

Love and Sex

If it is too enjoyable it is probably immoral, illegal, or unhealthy.
Sex leads to kids. If you don’t like kids abstain or get sterilized.
Sex is not love and love is not sex. If you think they’re the same you are either a teenager or mentally challenged.
There is no such thing as safe sex. All sex is potentially hazardous to your health. Treat it as you would any dangerous activity.
If you want a great orgasm buy a vibrator. If you want a great love, visit your local library or church.
Love usually leads to sex but sex rarely leads to love.
You can live without sex but you can’t live without love.

Children

The more you want children the harder they will be to get. Conversely, if you don’t want children the more likely you are to have them.
Once you get children, you may wonder why you ever wanted them.
Children, who start out as angels, often turn into aliens after their 12^th birthday. Be prepared to deal with it or don’t have children.
Children are experts at insanity; they are forever doing something they know won’t work.
Children are the most precious resource we have but few people seem to know this.
If you want demanding love, have a child. If you want unconditional love, get a dog.
A child who behaves at home it is more likely to act out at school and vice versa.
Children will do everything you allow and a few things you won’t allow. Bear this in mind when giving them permission to do something.
Children learn from their parents; teenagers learn from their peers; so get your lessons in early.
Young children demand our love. Teenage children reject our love. Young adult children ignore our love. Mature adult children return our love.
Anyone can be a biological parent but you have to love and nurture to be a real mom or dad.

Politics and the Press

1. There will always be those who disagree with the policies of whoever is in power so there are always at least two parties.

2. All things being equal, vote for the party not in power—it keeps the other party on its toes.

3. Sex and politics do mix—all the time.

4. The greater the desire for power the greater the desire for sex—accept it.

5. Politics provide a great topic for conversation and debate so learn all you can about the subject.

6. The more important an issue the less likely any action.

7. Those that can vote, but don’t, are either too dumb for words or trying to evade jury duty. Usually they are both.

8. Republicans focus on the issues of the wealthy, democrats focus on the issues of the poor, and independents focus on the issues that the other two parties want to ignore.

9. Politics feeds the press and the press feeds politics, the rest of us are left to starve.

10. The more important it is for an issue to be understood and debated, the more likely it is to be on page 1001.

11. If there isn’t any action going on, the press will create an issue.

12. The press can make or break you, and will probably do both, so avoid their interest unless you are masochistic.

13. The press isn’t as interested in the facts as in what will sell. If you have to deal with the press, keep this in mind.

14. If you really want to destroy something, get the government involved.

Religion

All true religion is individual. People often share beliefs but a person’s set of beliefs is unique to that person.
No one should impose his or her beliefs on another person. If a person needs to change a belief, circumstance will ensure that happens.
Nasty stuff happens, so be wary of birds and planes passing overhead.
Without change there is no growth so be a nomad in life.
Bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people. We don’t have to like it but we do have to accept it.
Worship reminds us that we are part of the universe—not the center of it.
God can’t answer if you won’t listen.
Conscience is that nagging voice within that is always giving us grief about enjoying the fun things in life.

Health

Health is desirable but not always obtainable. Don’t feel guilty about falling short of the goal but don’t dribble away from it either.
Bad health gives us a great excuse for self-absorption.
Many of the great saints had horrendous health problems; sometimes being human can work to our advantage.
You are your own best physician so take charge of your healthcare.
If it tastes good to eat, it is unhealthy or fattening.
There are few things in life you can’t live without—chocolate is not one of them.
Illness is a challenge that can help us grow.
It is right to emphasize with another’s pain but don’t dwell on it. The goal is to focus attention away from pain—not on it.
The greatest gift you can give to someone challenged with illness is your time and attention.
Exercise is a means not an end.
Stress is the reason for virtually all illness and most injury.
A healthy lifestyle is not fun but it is obtainable with a little dedicated time and effort.

Weather

When in doubt, talk about the weather.
Weather is like a woman—so always be prepared for a sudden change.
Pollution is not causing our current weather crisis—it is just a natural phenomenon that hasn’t occurred before.
If the meteorologist says it will be bright and sunny be sure to take an umbrella.
Clouds were created so we could gaze at them and dream.
If there is a crystal-blue sky overhead it is unlikely you are in California, New York City, or Michigan.
Winter is for resting and planning; spring is for preparing and sowing; summer is for tending and growing; and fall is for reaping and getting fat.

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