The Rules of Love, 3rd Edition

RULE 99

When one finger points forwards, three point back

I freely admit that this is a Rule I have to remind myself of frequently. It’s such an easy trap to fall into. A friend turns up late and you carp about the fact that they’ve kept you waiting, without ever quite recalling that you were late meeting up with them only last month. Of course it wasn’t your fault that time, so that was different. Or was it?

Try pointing at someone or something. No really, do it now – hold out your arm and point your index finger. Now, where are the other three fingers pointing? Straight back at you.^* Yep, this Rule is about not judging other people, and especially friends, not least because we’re almost always guilty of the same thing ourselves.

I’ve noticed ...