Rules of Conduct
1932
Throughout his life, Lester Loomis followed his own code of conduct. He had a strong sense of justice, and a great respect for all living things. During his long hours of thinking alone on his homestead, he distilled his personal guidelines for living into the following few rules:
One of the first rules I learned was that most everything depended on the tone of my voice. This was especially true when handling many people at a particular job. Our talk and speech must be sincere and to the point. Our voice will then carry a quality understood by all. This is the very opposite of the man who merely talks for the sake of saying something.
Arguments between members of a family or friends are useless. If you have an idea to express give it in as simple and plain terms as possible. If the other party does not want to accept your idea don’t try to force it on him. If you have succeeded in making yourself plain there’s the chance that he or she might upon reflection understand your point of view. Arguments are not only trouble breeders but harmful to the health of your mind and body.
Don’t worry - the more you worry the less able you will be to meet the real problems of life. I should like to meet one person that can show me that worry has ever helped anyone. Keep a cheerful disposition, no matter what happens. If you succeed in doing so you will find that things will become easy. Nine tenths of the things people worry about never happen – it’s a silly thing to do and instead of helping you does the very opposite.
There is good in everything and everybody. Try to find it and ignore the bad and evil. Don’t find fault with others. If you wish to look for faults look for them in yourself and you will find plenty of them. If you happen to discover certain faults in others, do not criticize. Go instead and show by your actions how such faults can be avoided. Remember that it is much easier to lead than to drive, mules and burros excepted.
Try and see things as others see them. Don’t be too set in your own way and you will learn a whole lot more instead of standing still. This does not mean that you have to accept the other person’s point of view at once or at all times. Listen attentively and then reason it out. If after doing this it still does not appeal to you – leave it alone.
Before doing anything, think well. If you meet up with a problem which you cannot solve at the moment, lay it aside. Drop it and try to forget it. In time the answer will come to you if you listen to the power within which will show you a way. If we keep our thoughts clear and clean we help this other power a great deal. If we do the opposite we will deaden it.
[Initial Version: 02/01/07]
[Sources: Lester Loomis Journals]