"10 Laws"

"ten fingers, ten laws that I live by"

Photo by Holly Mandarich on Unsplash

Yesterday, I came across East Forest’s song “10 Laws” from the album The Education for the Individual Soul. I pressed repeat as I drove— the words and the music equally mesmerizing. Simple instructions that might, at first glance, pertain to hiking or mountain climbing. Like lowering slowly into a hot bath, I immersed myself initially in the lyrics and then sunk deeper into the melody.

The music resounds as a mantra, repeating the energy, the heartbeat pulsing throughout, and the clickity-clack percussion moving me from one law to the next. 

Let me share the lyrics first before I combine them with my thoughts.

Always see the dangers first.
Always protect your feet.
Always be ready for cold.
Always be ready for heat.
Always know where good water or source is.
Always master the skills necessary.
Always get the job done.
Always know your place.
Always disallow foolishness.
Always rest whenever you can.

Ten fingers, ten laws that I live by.
(Ten fingers, ten laws that I live by,
Like all signs they keep me on track)

It could be that we're all musicians
Just singing our way through life together.

These guidelines are a metaphor for every experience in life. I’ve shared my personal revelations in conjunction with the lyrics— 

Always see the dangers

Trust the voice within.

Always protect your feet

Nurture my foundation, aka my loved ones.

Always be ready for cold

I will lose my way, along with a number of loved ones, during the many winters of my life. I must understand it’s the law of nature, not a punishment.

Always be ready for heat

Pick my battles. Make them count.

Always know where good water or source is

I can only survive without water for three days. What or who in my life mimics water? They are my source.

Always master the skills necessary

This task of a lifetime requires great patience as I collect the skills.

Always get the job done

If I can raise my heart to the sky in comfort, I’ve completed the job. Until then, I must continue to persevere.

Always know your place

All roads point to home.

Always disallow foolishness

It’s only at 68 I can for the most part clearly see the foolishness and easily disallow it. A law that one must be patient to master.

Always rest whenever you can

I require rest to achieve these ten laws. I require rest to thrive.

Enjoy your weekend. Do something that fills your soul, whatever that may be. For me, it’s often a day in the garden.

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