The true warrior knows that there are always two sets of rules in operation: one for your counterpart and one for you. Often only one set of rules has been disclosed. Sometimes none of the rules have been disclosed … and true warriors know that they might be stumbling around in a minefield. So the first order of business is to find out what the rules are. This is often achieved simply by asking questions, making observations and confirming them, conducting research, and then going to the authorities and asking for a copy. The true warrior knows that an excellent follow-up questions is, “Do these rules also apply to you?” If you receive an affirmative answer, then know you have only received a partial one, for there are sure to be other rules that apply to them that have not been disclosed to you. If the answer is negative, you have probably received an honest response and can ask which rules do apply to them.

There are lots of rules in and around the world, so it pays to learn them, as rules are like concentric circles—often overlapping, with you or your proposed activity at the centre, and the rules expanding outward as more and more agencies, entities, and peoples are impacted (and their rules reach out to impact you or your activity).

RULES as defined by the Oxford Dictionary1;

RULES: 3rd person singular present, plural of RULE

NOUN – One of a set of explicit or understood regulations or principles governing conduct within a particular activity or sphere.

VERB – Exercise ultimate power or authority over (an area and its people): “Latin America today is ruled by elected politicians”.

SYNONYMS – regulations – statute – order

You have many rules of your own. Have you explored them recently? Have you written them down? Does anyone but you know what your rules are? The true warrior endeavours to master all the relevant rules of any undertaking before setting out on (or agreeing to accept) an assignment or commission. The true warrior does not want to return for payment, having completed the undertaking, and discover that he or she has inadvertently violated some esoteric rule and will not get paid (best case scenario) or will be incarcerated for their transgression (worst case scenario). The lesson here is to find out what all the rules are that govern your behaviour and your engagement before you jump in with both feet and live to regret it! Rules are for the knowing. So know them!

You are warriors, by discovering, mastering, and obeying the rules (bending them, pushing against them, working around them in an approved manner, and using them to your advantage are all okay too) allows you to succeed without being ambushed by your own ignorance. Learn the rules, apply them, and thrive. So it has been written.