WHO ARE - 'THEY' - The song by JEM

The song They by Jem

Who made up all the rules?
We follow them like fools,
Believe them to be true,
Don't care to think them through

And I'm sorry, so sorry
I'm sorry it's like this
I'm sorry, so sorry
I'm sorry we do this

And it's ironic too
'Cause what we tend to do
Is act on what they say
And then it is that way

And I'm sorry, so sorry
I'm sorry it's like this
I'm sorry, so sorry
I'm sorry we do this

Who are they?
Where are they?
How can they possibly
Know all this?
Who are they?
Where are they?
How can they possibly
Know all this?

Do you see what I see?
Why do we live like this?
Is it because it's true
That ignorance is bliss?

Who are they?
Where are they?
How do they
Know all this?
And I'm sorry, so sorry
I'm sorry it's like this

Do you see what I see?
Why do we live like this?
Is it because it's true
That ignorance is bliss?

And who are they?
Where are they?
How can they
Know all this?
And I'm sorry, so sorry
I'm sorry we do this

11 Simple Rules for a Happy Life : By Hollis Polk

I am not foolish enough, nor do I have enough hubris, to think that what follows is a complete list, or even that it is in any absolute sense, “right”. It is, though, everything I can think of at the moment (and it is how I try to live, but like everyone else, I’m imperfect). I am certainly open to suggestions for additions to the list, so please post them as comments.

1) Act from love.
- Be kind, accepting, tolerant, patient -- and that includes acting that way toward yourself!
- Be mindful of the divine flow.

2) Be careful what you do and what you think. You are responsible for your actions and therefore for your consequences.
- Actions have consequences.
- Thoughts are actions in energy form.
- Appreciate what you have, because what you focus on, expands.

3) Live your truth/higher perception to the best of your ability.
- Be who you are, not who you think you are supposed to be. The world doesn’t need another pale imitation of some commercial ideal; it needs real people, being who they are, and bringing their unique gifts and point of view to heal the problems we have.
- Listen to your own higher wisdom. We all have access, even if we’ve been taught not to use it because it’s been too much of a threat to the power structure.
- Tell the truth, whenever possible (you may not know it, or it may conflict with another of these rules, in which case, see #11). Remember, spoken and written words are actions.

4) Respect others.
Part I: The Platinum Rule: Treat people as they wish to be treated.
Part II: In the absence of the Platinum Rule (that is, when you don’t know how someone else would like to be treated), use the Golden Rule: treat others how you wish to be treated.

5) Respect nature.
- This includes your own body (eat food, not chemicals).
- Use as few resources as you need to to do the job properly and comfortably.
- Turn down the thermostat (or turn it up in the summer — or better yet, open the windows and let nature in!).
- Turn off the lights you don’t need.
- Walk (you’ll get to know your neighbors and neighborhood) for your errands (it’s great exercise, too!).
- Recycle.
- Share: borrow and return in good condition (neighbors and friends are a great resource) and be willing to lend, too. This builds community.
- Buy used or recycled, or better yet, ask if you really need something before you buy it.
- Don't print if you don't have to, and if you have to print, use both sides of your paper.
- Take your name off the mailing lists (so the paper isn’t wasted).
- Don’t drive if you don’t have to (carpool! Or take public transit — you might meet someone interesting).
- Grow what food you can — it’ll taste good, and feel good, too.
- You get the idea.

6) Respect limits, including the ones you reasonably set, and expect others to as well.
- It’s okay to know your limits and to be clear in stating them.
- ‘No’ means ‘no’, whether someone else is saying it, or you are.
- If someone isn't respecting your limits, you have a right, or maybe even a responsibility, to teach them to respect your limits, or to ask them to leave, or to get away from them.
- Get 7 hours of sleep a night (research shows it makes a big difference in your quality of life).

7) Honor your agreements. You can keep an agreement as is, or you can renegotiate it, but don’t change an agreement unilaterally (which includes not telling the other person for any reason, aka ‘flaking out’.)

8) If it feels good, and it doesn’t harm anyone or anything else, do more of it. This is the Universe (aka God) speaking to you through your desires.

9) Be clear about what you want — it’s probably the only way to get it. Remember, thoughts are actions in energy form.

10) You will never know everything (nor will anyone else), so stay humble.

11) When in doubt, see rule #1.

Authors Bio: Hollis Polk is a personal coach, who has been helping people create lives they love for 15 years. To do this, she blends neurolinguistic and hypnotherapy techniques, decision science, clairvoyance, and the common sense learned in over 20 years of business experience. Hollis is a Master Practitioner of neurolinguistics, a certified hypnotherapist, and has a bachelor's degree in engineering from Princeton and a Harvard MBA. She is also a successful real estate broker and investor, and has owned and run successful businesses, including a restaurant and wholesale bakery, and a woodstove wholesaler. She teaches classes in intuition development and development of body/mind, heart and soul, and offers one-on-one personal and professional coaching. Authors Website: www.888-4-hollis.com