Laws of Life Background Information
What are Laws?
For many of us, including our students, the word law can often have a pejorative, dictatorial sound. One must obey the law, or else. Many laws are often seen as restrictive or arbitrary and inextricably connected to punishment. Of course, there is some truth in this. Laws are often created by an authority over which we seem to have little control, and implemented by nameless, faceless entities, or people wearing uniforms and wielding badges. Laws can seem like they have little to do with our everyday lives, but they are a necessary component of civilization.
Laws, at their core, are sets of rules that a community agrees to follow. Throughout recorded history, and even before, groups of people have created laws and agreed to abide by them because doing so is beneficial to both themselves and to the larger community.
Many laws, perhaps most to a greater or lesser extent, exist to keep individuals and groups safe. For example, there are laws that restrict how fast a person may drive. The speed limit laws don’t exist because someone somewhere is opposed to fast driving; they exist because speed restrictions facilitate safety; and the safer a society is, the more productive and happy its citizens can be.
Laws, even the ones that we don’t necessarily like, help to keep individuals and societies on track. They let us know what is acceptable and what is not; what is safe and what is dangerous; and they help us to temper our selfish impulses.
What are Laws of Life?
Laws of Life are wise sayings or mottos that, like the formal laws of a society, also help to keep us on track. But Laws of Life also serve a greater purpose. They serve to inspire us and spur us on toward success and achievement. Laws of Life are like guideposts that point in the direction of our higher selves.
Most folks are acquainted with some Laws of Life. For example who has never heard “Honesty is the best policy,” or “Haste makes waste?” Some of these wise words were said by famous people like Benjamin Franklin; but there are many other Laws of Life that have no particular author other than anonymous. These Laws of Life represent the collective wisdom of the ages. They have been passed down by parents, spiritual leaders, and heroes from one generation to the next.
Laws of Life are universal; meaning that they exist and resonate across both time and space. Perhaps the most famous Law of Life is the Golden Rule which states: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” This Law of Life is present in most of the world’s religions.
“Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.”
“This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.”
“None of you (truly) believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
“What is hateful to you, do not to your fellow man. This is the law: all the rest is commentary.”
But Laws of Life are not only created by holy men or heroes. Any person who reflects upon their struggles, their own success and their failures can create or restate the Laws of Life by which they live.
The Laws of Life are basic and express fundamental truths about the human experience. They tell us what will work; how to achieve success; and most important, how to live a happy and productive life. Each new generation may need to rediscover these laws for themselves and find unique ways of expressing them, but the laws themselves, and the universal truths they articulate, remain constant.
The Laws of Life that are included in this interactive are:
- The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
- Conceive it. Believe it. Achieve it.
- Quitters never win and winners never quit.
- To have a friend be a friend.
- Don’t judge a book by its cover.
- Actions speak louder than words.
- Honesty is the best policy.
- Play fair.
- If you change your mind, you can change your life.
- Two wrongs don’t make a right.
The Interactive: Laws of Life and the Temple Of Success
The Laws of Life interactive helps users explore the idea that life will often require them to make important, impactful and sometimes difficult decisions. During the interactive, students embark on an Indiana Jones-type adventure, navigating a jungle maze filled with pitfalls and obstacles, much like life itself. At various points through the jungle, players are asked to use a law of life to help them make a decision, enabling them to successfully overcome a difficult obstacle.
The laws of life are symbolized by various tools (flashlight, rope, water bottle, etc.) which students accumulate along the way. The tools can then be used as keys which help users to unlock the door to the Temple of Success. Accordingly, laws of life become our “keys to success” and help to guide us with important choices and decisions that can have immediate and visceral consequences, and consequences that are distant and unforeseen.
Making Adjustments
The Laws of Life exhibit was designed to tackle complex concepts in a fun and engaging way. Students of all ages will enjoy going on a quest and using their wits and wisdom to help themselves navigate their way through some slippery situations. Because younger students are very concrete, and some of the scenarios presented here are a bit abstract, they may need a little extra assistance making the best decision.
Older students may need help analyzing the challenge of balancing altruism with self-interest, and also with understanding that Laws of Life are flexible, not rigid. For example; under some circumstances it is imperative to be honest; but under others it may be kinder not to be.
The National Liberty Museum’s Heroes of Character website has numerous classroom activities based around the Laws of Life. These activities were designed specifically to extend the museum experience.