Rule 6 / Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world
Peterson discusses the tragic nature of life, pointless suffering and our apparent meaningless existence. He talks about those that have committed atrocities but also those who have been able to turn their lives around after living through horrific circumstances.
Peterson poses a series of penetrating questions: “Have you taken full advantage of the opportunities offered to you? Are you working hard on your career, or even your job, or are you letting bitterness and resentment hold you back and drag you down?” This leads him to his premise before we criticize all that is wrong with the world, we need to clean up our own lives. Stop doing those things which we sense to be wrong and start acting in an honourable way. This won’t stop tragedies and suffering but will change our perspective as we become part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.
Some people appear to achieve this turnaround of attitude apparently on their own, but I feel it needs spiritual enlightenment to achieve this.
From a Christian perspective, it’s good advice to take a good look at ourselves before we criticize others. Jesus taught us to take the plank out of our own eye before we complain about the speck in our brothers’ eye (Matthew 7:3-5). Paul advises us to, “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5). As we grow more Christ-like, we will be less likely to criticize others.
Click for: Peterson’s 5th Rule for Life
