Rule 2: Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.

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Hello there,

In my previous book review of Jordan B. Peterson's 12 Rules for Life, I discussed Rule 1 and provided detailed insights into what I gleaned from the chapter. Now I have decided to do this as a regular thing, especially from books I have read and from time to time.

Use the link below if you want to read up on the previous chapter, Rule 1:
Stand up straight, with your shoulders back

In this article, we will examine Rule 2: Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.

This lesson is quite essential for a healthy life, and Jordan Peterson deciphers it with practical statements of how easy it is to advise others rather than to yield to your own advice. We can spend a lot of time attending to the needs of other people, comforting them, listening to their plights, and even giving out some valid advice. But when it comes to ourselves, it's a whole different ball game. We refuse to treat our body and mind with the utmost respect they deserve. Guess this is why the same doctors make the worst patients.

It is easy to give advice, but when you are the one in the picture, can you listen to the advice you just gave? Mr Peterson goes further to elaborate on how we should treat and take care of ourselves like someone you are responsible for helping. Look at it this way: your body is the patient, and you, as a person, are the nurse or caregiver who is responsible for that patient. Take those walks and exercise to keep the body going, eat well, and when you have the money, get yourself nice things, and do not get so hung up on what might happen.

I have seen people deny their bodies sleep, all in the name of being productive or putting in the work. Infact, I would not lie that I am a victim of such a crime, although I try to put my body to rest during the day by getting some good sleep, and at night, I stay awake. Not taking care of the body that runs the operation is pretty much a bad idea because when it breaks down, trust me, it becomes a whole lot expensive to get it back up and running again. Take care of the body that brings the money.

Another angle from this rule is reaching out for help. When a person is going through a tough time or having a mental health moment, it can be easy to advise them to seek help, talk to someone, or, better still, get counselling or therapy. I know you get counselling from someone older or someone you respect, but I do not know if you can get therapy in Nigeria. Are there therapists in Nigeria?

Anyway, that is not the point. The point is, once again, it is easier to suggest someone should seek help, but can you seek the same help when you are the one going through the storm? I am sure it does not become so easy anymore when you are the person experiencing the hard time. Times are hard, and when you're going through the storm, it may seem like your experience is one in a million and you have it all worse. Just know it could be worse, and there is nothing wrong with asking for any form of assistance, no matter how little it may be.

Do not forget you are responsible for that body, and nobody will take better care of you than yourself. So do not forget to treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping.

That is a wrap for this chapter. See you at the next one.

Also, here are some of my previous book reviews on some books I have read in the past; you can check them out for more insights.

Book Review: Yinka where is your Husband?

Book Review: Eat the Frog

Lesson from an African Classic

Book Review - The Confidence Game

The Art of War - A different Translation & Lesson

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_{I am @samostically, a chess player and writer. I love to share the experience I have gained from different battles over the 64 squares and the knowledgeable insights from books I have read. But most importantly, I am a Midnight Owl and I founded the community Midnight letters.}

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Thanks For Reading!

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