Originally published at Medium.
Author and investment writer Richard Maybury bases his outlook and analysis on Two Laws:
Do all you have agreed to do.
Do not encroach on other persons or their property.
Maybury explains: “Where you find these laws most closely obeyed, both by the people and the governments, you will find the most liberty, prosperity and peace… Where the two laws are not widely obeyed, the only options are tyranny or chaos.” When politicians violate these laws, “there will be trouble.”
The two laws mean contracts are enforceable and people and their possessions are protected. The contractor will perform the work he was paid to do, or will be sued. When there’s a murder, law enforcement agents will investigate.
While the Two Laws are essential to the functioning of civil society, I think they can be applied in almost any situation.
Consider the contractor paid to build a house by a certain date. The one thing she can’t do is procrastinate. She made a promise, an agreement. If she doesn’t do all that she’s agreed to do, she won’t be a contractor for long.
The same principle applies in situations where no money changes hands. Your friend asks you to drive her to the airport on Thursday, and you agree to do so. Again, you can’t procrastinate. On Thursday, you can’t call her up and say, “I don’t feel like doing this,” or “Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”
Entering into the agreement was voluntary, but fulfilling your end of the agreement, once made, is no longer voluntary. You made a commitment that others are relying on you to fulfill. To fail to follow through with the agreement is to hurt your friend in a very big and tangible way, and you likely won’t be friends for long.
The law against “encroachment” applies in interpersonal relationships as well. To the extent you want to be, make known to friends or family that you are available to help them in any way you can. But their problems aren’t your problems.
Don’t read your roommate’s diary. Don’t meddle in a friend’s romantic drama, don’t provide unasked-for advice or “help.” This behavior will lead to misunderstandings and resentments.
The Two Laws also apply to personal conduct, in how you “love yourself.” Just as you agree to fulfill your end of a business deal or show up at your place of employment, just as you may agree to drive a friend to the airport, so you can make agreements with yourself.
Once made, abiding by the agreement is no longer voluntary.
By agreements with yourself, I don’t necessarily mean the attainment of goals. More often then not, it would be a commitment of time in making progress toward goals. For example, “I will spend 45 minutes working out and 60 minutes practicing the piano.”
If a good friend, whom you already see frequently, asks if you want to come over and watch tv, it’s okay to say “Sorry, I’m busy” if you hadn’t yet completed these agreements to yourself. Your friend might not think doing these solitary activities make you “busy,” but they do. They’re as important to your well-being as promises made in your work and relationships, because they’re about who you want to become.
Finally, just as we don’t want our bodies or property “encroached” upon by violence, theft, or fraud, so it is that we should be mindful of the harms we might do to ourselves. Don’t do to yourself what you don’t want others to do to you.
I’m the last one to judge people on their pleasures, indulgences, or “vices.” It’s up to each of us to answer in our own way if, in the way we lead our lives, our time and money are invested, spent, or squandered, and if the way we treat our bodies enhance or diminish our well-being. But why should any of us rob ourselves of our best life?
We can’t control politics, but we can always apply the Two Laws to ourselves.
James Leroy Wilson writes from Nebraska. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. If you find value in his articles, your support through Paypal helps keep him going. Permission to reprint is granted with attribution. You may contact him for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.