John Perry Barlow's "Principles of Adult Behaviour" Will Always Inspire Us to Be Better

This Thursday, February 7, we honor the life and legacy of John Perry Barlow on the year mark of his passing. Barlow was more than just Grateful Dead lyricist, he was a poet, Freedom of the Press advocate, educator, and spiritual leader. His magical words helped generate the tone of the Grateful Dead community, not just through his lyrics, but through his outlook on life. One outlook in particular being, the 25 Principles of Adult Behaviour, which is a short list of life advice that truly resonates with all of us. Read his principles below and listen to some of the Grateful Dead songs that evoke a similar message to prepare for Relix Presents The Songs of Barlow featuring an all-star tribute band featuring Jason Crosby, Grahame Lesh, Elliott Peck, Josh Kaufman, Jerry Harrison and more on Thursday, February 7! 1. Be Patient No matter what 2. Don’t bad-mouth: Assign responsibility, not blame. Say nothing of another you wouldn’t say to him. 3. Never assume the motives of others are, to them, less noble than yours are to you. 4. Expand your sense of the possible. 5. Don’t trouble yourself with matters you truly cannot change. "You gave all you had, why you want to give more? The more that you give, the more it will take To the thin line beyond which you really can't fake." - Fire on the Mountain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQs22Kt-vZk 6. Expect no more of anyone than you can deliver yourself. "One watch by night, one watch by day If you get confused just listen to the music play" - Franklin’s Tower https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55TOIJxKc74 7. Tolerate ambiguity. 8. Laugh at yourself frequently. “I may be going to hell in a bucket, babe But at least I'm enjoying the ride” - Hell in a Bucket https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9Bs4xhDyxw 9. Concern yourself with what is right rather than who is right. 10. Never forget that, no matter how certain, you might be wrong. 11. Give up blood sports. 12. Remember that your life belongs to others as well. Don’t risk it frivolously. "Like an angel, standing in a shaft of light Rising up to paradise, I know I'm gonna shine." - Estimated Prophet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQs22Kt-vZk 13. Never lie to anyone for any reason. (Lies of omission are sometimes exempt.) 14. Learn the needs of those around you and respect them. 15. Avoid the pursuit of happiness. Seek to define your mission and pursue that. “There is a road, no simple highway Between the dawn and the dark of night And if you go no one may follow That path is for your steps alone.” - Ripple https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=671AgW9xSiA 16. Reduce your use of the first personal pronoun. 17. Praise at least as often as you disparage. 18. Admit your errors freely and soon. “Her secret incantations, a candle burning blue We'll consult the spirits maybe they'll know what to do.” - I Need a Miracle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiLMjKXTKqU 19. Become less suspicious of joy. "Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right." - Scarlet Begonias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj_kK1j3CV0 20. Understand humility. 21. Remember that love forgives everything. “Without love in the dream, it will never come true.” - Slipknot! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crHvWsFVeD4 22. Foster dignity. 23. Live memorably. 24. Love yourself. "Wake up to find out that you are the eyes of the world. The heart has its beaches, it's homeland and thoughts of its own. Wake now, discover that you are the song that the morning brings, but the heart has its seasons, it's evenings and songs of its own" - Eyes of the World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCy9k_RWlvA 25. Endure. “Fare thee well now, let your life proceed by its own design. Nothing to tell now, let the words be yours, I'm done with mine.” - Cassidy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aMBIeD0ThU