The following essay is a summary of my current mental operating system. (MOS)

Rules of Thumb

• Take care of yourself first.
• Do not rely on anyone other than yourself, only ask for help if you really need it.
• Focus your attention on your goals.
• Do not loan or borrow anything.
• Always think ahead and come prepared.
• Never put all your eggs in one basket, have a plan “B” and “C”.
• Freedom = Choices, keep your options open.
• Maintain an anti-drama/anti-bullshit shield at all times.
• Do not waste time with anyone or anything that does not help you move forward.
• Constantly improve your character, knowledge, and skills.
• Learn from everything and everyone around you.
• Keep moving forward toward your goals.

I’m honest, intelligent, humors, polite, respectful, and diplomatic. I am fully accountable and responsible for my thoughts, words, and actions. I am also very selfish and self-centered. I put my needs and wants above others because my job as an adult is to take care of myself first. I know my current life situation is the sum of my thoughts and choices.

I am self-confident, self-controlled, and self-sufficient. I have power over myself so I feel no need to try and dominate or control others. I do not allow anyone to define, control, or manipulate me. I quickly spot people who play those kinds of games and I do not allow them into my personal life. I have no interest in gaining other people’s approval, attention, or acceptance. I live up to my own expectations because my opinion is the only one that counts.

My skills, knowledge, resources, and time are valuable things. I believe positive connections can only be based on honest value-for-value exchanges on all levels. In other words, “You scratch my back and then I’ll scratch yours.” Those looking to get “something-for-nothing” should not waste their time, or tempt my wrath. I’m not a vengful person. However I do have a dark-side and I will defend myself when pushed too far.

I’ve found that familiarity breeds contempt. This is why I maintain a respectful distance from people, both figuratively and literally. I do not waste my time with those who do not show me respect. Those who press my boundaries, whether in word or deed, are quickly ejected from my life. This is not baseball, when people violate my trust and/or boundaries they are gone, fired from my life with out a second thought, piety, or mercy.

I do not work for free, so I always make it explicitly that I want money or something of equal value in return for my efforts. I am picky and have very specific interests. I have zero tolerance for insecurity, immaturity, ignorance, drama, disrespect, neediness, hostility, sexism, racism, or discrimination. I do not allow people to complain to me about anything because I’m not their therapist. If I become one I will charge $1000.00 a minute. I do not allow smokers, drinkers, or drug-users around me. I also do not like dogs or kids.

I understand human nature is basically selfish. I decline to join any groups because I see it as lessening my freedom of choice. Which is why I have no interest in politics. I have no social or religiously programmed ideas clouding my perception of life or what’s going on in the moment. I see through everyone’s social mask and the games they play. To me it’s a waste of time and I refuse to play their games. I take people as they are, listen to what they say, how they say it, and watch their pattern of behavior over time to determine their character. I never allow others to drag me into their obvious petty power games because I’ve got better more interesting things to do with my time.

I do what works for me and what moves me toward my goals of freedom of choice, money, and silence.