How not to create a personal manifesto

I've long been fascinated by words to live by, manifestos, organizing principles -- that magical list that, once written, refined and codified -- would lead to happiness, fulfillment, satisfaction.  Dang, there's another list.

I was recently offered the opportunity to share my personal manifesto, which led to an intensive round of research and thinking and wanting to talk about it with people who had little interest. Manifesto Item #1:  Don't think and talk about things too much.

Now even I recognize that "too much" is a very subjective term, and seems to denigrate thinking and talking.  It goes further than I want to go.  But refining the concept of Item #1 just leads to more of the same behavior.  Item #2:  Beware of circular traps. 

I recently developed a list of six seven principles for my personal manifesto, and realized something right away.  This list is a reflection of how I feel today, and would have been different a week ago, or a year ago, and will probably be different tomorrow.  I'm constantly writing profound insights into one journal or another that are totally cryptic and meaningless today.  One is even just a date with the words "never forget."  Item #3:  Things change.

And going back to Item #1, how can I share my manifesto with others without violating my principles?  Is the act of sharing such a list helpful or just hopeful?  Back when I used to study and practice fictional character development, I learned you need to "show, not tell."  So people should be able to recognize my principles by my actions, not by some list.  Whew.  That's harsh.

I like the people I like and I like them a lot.  I love the people I love and I love them a lot.  And I feed that like and love by sharing with them, and asking them to share with me.  Which leads to the question -- where is the sweet spot in Item #1?  What does "just enough" look like?  What I've only realized recently is that it is very different in each and every relationship.  Which leads me to the question -- how do I achieve authenticity (being my best, true self) within so many different kinds of relationships?  All of these questions, of course, lead me back to Item #1.  It appears I have unresolvable issues with #1, so I'm dumping it.

Today's version got easier to write when I discovered I only had to talk to myself, not offer something that would work for the whole world.  I learned this by reading the first statement.  I guess that's the test for how "good" your personal principles are -- can you turn to them for guidance when you're in a tough spot? 

Today's Manifesto: 
Remember whose life you're living. 
You can have almost anything, but you can't have everything. Choose.*
When you start to panic, give yourself wise, mature, unconditional love.
Either do something about it or shut up about it.
Do it now.
Be honest with yourself, but be kind to yourself.
Never forget your intention**.  When you forget your intention, notice.  When you remember, start again.


*This is revised from one of the old maxims I used to employ to bore my children during long car trips.  It's shorter and more forceful now, less gentle, more realistic.  Exactly what I need today. 

**I have a lot to say about intention, which I intend to do, but for now I'm defining it as what you mean to do in any given situation or relationship, bundled up with how you wish to do it.