Why Should We All Have a “Code” Of Living

Reminisced of my article few months back of choosing to live in your own illusion, it got to me that similar to the self-illusion, we have to live by the “code” of living, the code we all possess.

I would even separate people that have and don’t have a code of living. Such codes have people who are capable of jumping every obstacle in their way to get what they want.

Having something to push you over the boundaries, to overcome every problem, to make everything doable and possible is the power to have your own code. However, this code can be used to do harm or well, but it’s something that gives guidance from your own spirit, rather than the ones from society.

Why should we all possess a “code” of living?

The reason some people separate from “the herd” is because they believe that life should be lived by personal standards and rights. Such a code had Hitler, Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Jordan Belfort. Like I said, this code can be used to do harm or well, but it’s always effective.

I’ve personally analyzed people in my surrounding that are famous singers, politicians, mechanics, artists; simply humans that are best at what they do. I’ve came to a conclusion that they are not ordinary, not discussing something they aren’t interested about and they all have a blast of different energy when they enter a space (for example a room). Not because they are famous. Even if you don’t know them personally, nor that they are famous, you kind of sense something they have, something more than ordinary. They arouse an emotion that makes you think about them for a while.

I firmly believe that the energy they share is coming from their way of living. The code that they stick to and the manners they have.

It could be said that they have unique beliefs, but I think it’s something different. It’s more of a 1001010101 code installed in their heads. They would rather die, than avoid following that code.

For example, Beethoven made his coffee from exactly 60 coffee beans. Even though it may sound weird to some, he had a hundred things he did that were strange for the environment. At the end of the day, he made vibrating masterpieces that will be recognized until the end of this world.

What’s the difference between a group and an individual?

Every unique idea that made difference in this world started from individuals getting supported by a group. I also believe that the exact individual possessed the “code” we are discussing about.

Today I watched a speech by Admiral William H. McRaven (Commander, United States Special Operations Command). His speech is about his inspiration aroused from being a part of the Navy Seals.

One thing during his “hell week” triggered me goose bumps while I was hearing the words he said:

“The night week of training is referred to as hell week. It is 6 days of no sleep, constant physical and mental harassment, and one special day at the mudflats.

The mudflats are an area between San Diego and Tijuana where the water runs off and creates the Tijuana slews, a swampy patch of terrain where the mud will engulf you. It is on Wednesday on hell week, but you’re paddled out of the mudflats and spend the next 15 hours trying to survive the freezing cold, the harrowing wind and the incisive pressure to quit from the instructors.

As the sun begin to set that Wednesday evening, my training class having committed some egregious infraction of the rules was ordered into the mud. The mud consumed each man till there was nothing visible but our heads. The instructors told us we can leave the mud if only 5 men would quit. Only 5 men, just 5 men and we could get out of the oppressive cold.

Looking around of the mudflats there was apparent that some students were about to give up. It was still over 8 hours till the sun came up, eight more hours of bone chilling cold. Chattering teeth in the shirring moans of the trainees were so loud it was hard to hear anything.

AND THEN began to echo through the night. One voice raised in song. The song was terribly out of tune, but song with great enthusiasm. One voice became two, and two became three, and everyone in the class was singing. The instructors threatened us with more time in the mud if we kept singing, but the singing persisted, and somehow the mud seemed a little warmer, and the wind a little tamer, and the dawn not so far away.

If I have learned anything in my time traveling the world, it is the power of hope, the power of one person, a Washington, Lincoln, King, Mandela, and even the young girl of Pakistan Malala. One person can change the world by giving people hope. So if you want to change the world start singing when you are up to your neck in mud.”

I firmly recommend you to watch the whole thing.

To be in a situation where we have nothing to lose, and do the things when we feel like we’re the happiest person alive (singing is a great example) is having the bravest courage and code that is carved in one’s soul.

“So if you want to change the world start singing when you are up to your neck in mud.”