During a weekend of forefathers and revolution, we should remember that the war began with a single shot in Concord. One simple act for change that revolutionized the world. Anyone who knows the work of Jordan Petersen—or the teachings of Jesus—will understand the points I am about to make. But for those not aware of history, they might seem a bit cloudy. However, time is short, and bringing a little light to Petersen is always a good thing.
Petersen stepped into the spotlight when he refused to adopt Canada’s 52 pronouns rule as law. But his refusal was only a spark; the dried leaves waiting to be inflamed were his numerous incendiary lectures that still live on YouTube. And then there are his second book, 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos, and the follow-up, Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life.
So the number twelve is significant: twelve apostles, twelve pillars, twelve tribes. Jesus also knew the number ten as in Commandments and when forced to summarize them all against a hypocritical priesthood trying to trap him, as does the media with Petersen, He said there was one golden rule, “love your neighbor as yourself.” Well, I think Petersen also has a commandment: Clean your room.
It may well sound trivial to those taught to recast all norms and social structures as mechanisms of oppression by some imagined privileged class. How insignificant is cleaning your room when it has nothing to do with the inner expression of one’s unique identity or personal feelings. Any impediment to this utter freedom would only block imminent “happiness.” Not.
Petersen’s simple life tip is not alone in its impact on a generation, especially of young men and the “nones” who have faith but don’t believe in the church, plus a generation of boys from broken marriages, opioid escapism, unbridled consumerism, video games taught as revisionist history. Not to mention the ones filled with “toxic masculinity.” I joke. It taps into the eternal truths, essential to leading a successful life.
During World War II the American Army reluctantly called in George Patton to bail out the American forces in Africa after the humiliation at the Kasserine Pass. How did he begin his transformation? He demanded his boys wear neckties or they would be fined! Eighteen- and nineteen-year-old boys were about to shoot bullets into human flesh or be blown to pieces. Yes, teenagers saved the world, can you imagine that?
Why does Petersen’s cleaning rule or Patton’s ties—even Jesus’s admonition to plant a good seed in the field—make such a difference right now? Despite a generation infused by self-esteem, the truth is we’re not any brighter, or better off, than they were then, and frankly we’re not that inspiring. And we still need to improve as individuals.
Well, let’s start.
Petersen would say if you clean your room, you’ve begun your day with a defined and repeatable accomplishment. Your mind recognizes that “I can focus” and has the confidence to move on and ask, “What’s next?” Patton’s challenge: How can you handle an automatic rifle if you can’t remember to straighten your tie? And Jesus planted the good seed because it will reap a life of harmony with oneself and others, the Kingdom of God.
The overall message: self-focused small steps are the ones that redeem us bit by bit.
On a weekend when the words of our forefathers echo in eternity, so does the most important lesson: Freedom is the discipline to forge a specific life for yourself. Yes, someday, when we are more evolved, we might protect the planet and end our biases, but for now let’s start with a straightened tie, a clean room, and a seed planted.
In the process, we might save ourselves.