The Rules of Shortie Country
The basics of Shortie diplomacy are as follows:
Define a border
Learn to make decisions. Keep promises you make to yourself and others. When the outcome of the decision is subpar, revise. Try again with improved clarity of purpose. Repeat to satisfaction.
Balance being both right and wrong at the same time
Knowing when you know better is a highly valued skill. Knowing when you’re being stupid, close minded, sour stomached, hungry, obtuse, or manipulative is also a valued skill.
The opposite of what is true is usually also true
Figure it out in the work
Good work is made when you stop trying to bend the work to your will. Bring yourself to it. Be honest. Be honest about deciding to lie. Let it be wrong, but not for long. Solve for it. Making work is a controlled environment for finding answers.
A system is designed to maintain the system
Know when to abandon the system and when to stay close to the system.
Self knowledge above all
This includes knowing there may not be much to know. This is a commitment to being a sieve to life. While the world builds itself off of favorites to determine personality, know that vegetables are seasonal. Favorite movies bend with time. Memories, colors, textures, sounds send out information. You should be receptive to this information but it won’t be the same every time. Having a favorite vegetable is like drawing a line in the sand—arbitrary and self limiting. Enjoy it all.
What’s in motion stays in motion
It is pretty hard to begin at all. That’s the hardest part. Do it once, stay in motion. You’ll be fine.