Rule Number 6

I'm fond of this parable from The Art of Possibility: Transforming Professional and Personal Life by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander. It helps keep life in perspective, brings a smile to my face and a deep breath to my lungs (things that don't always come easy when stressed with kids, work, relationships, the current economy or whatever else!)

Two prime ministers are sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk.

The resident prime minister admonishes him: "Peter," he says, "kindly remember Rule Number 6," whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes and withdraws.

The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by a hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: "Marie, please remember Rule Number 6." Complete calm descends once more and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology.

When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: "My dear friend, I've seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?"

"Very simple," replies the resident prime minister. "Rule Number 6 is 'Don't take yourself so damn seriously.'"

"Ah," says his visitor, "that is a fine rule." After a moment of pondering he inquires, "And what may I ask are the other rules?"

"There aren't any."