[July 12, 2026] As we walk through life, as we normally do, there are things that will call out to us. If we pursue them, they will take us on a deep journey. It doesn’t matter so much what calls; what matters most is that we pursue it and we pursue it. And that pursuit means that if we do so without reservation, we will be transformed into a better person, capable of achieving what is essentially unimaginable. That’s the answer to the call.
The call can come from any direction, virtually from anywhere; we just have to pursue it with sufficient effort and faith in our abilities. The sacrifices we make cannot be half measures. If we give it our all, if we bring everything to the table, then our sacrifice to that calling might just be acceptable, and we will be blessed with the outcome. That’s what God tells Cain. He says, “If you do well, you will be accepted.” But in that story, God punishes Cain for offering half-measures in sacrifice.
We cannot get away with inadequate sacrifices. Do we actually think we can offer half-measures and expect them to work? Has that ever worked in our past? Has any second-rate offering ever turned out to be something we were proud of when we look back on it? We all look back at our past to find evidence that we made a worthy offering that produced an outcome that was good; good by our own definition and by those around us. That certainly can show us the enlightened direction when we are in a dark place.
We can ask ourselves what would happen if we were to do this all the time; to make the rightful full-measured sacrifice, our best effort, our full commitment. This is the burden of responsibility, and it may weigh heavily upon us. That means the best path forward is to take on the largest burdens we can carry. Doing so matures us. It improves and deepens the meaning of our lives. It also improves things around us. It turns out that if we take responsibility, aim to improve our own lives and the lives of others, and work diligently, we not only improve our lives but also make things better around us.
That is the justification for our existence.
Yet when we organize ourselves around the highest aim, our existence reveals itself as a set of challenges and problems. If we solve them properly, we stay on the pathway toward that aim. This pursuit is a way of living. Orient toward the highest good. The alternative is bleak, even bleaker than we can imagine. Don’t waste your life trying to avoid this great responsibility.
If we configure our lives so that what we are genuinely doing is making a full, all-in sacrifice while aiming at the highest possible good, then the things we need to live and thrive each day will be delivered to us. If we dare to do the most difficult thing we can conceive and make the proper offerings, our lives will work out better than if we do anything else. The logical question is, How are we going to find out if that’s true? The answer to this crucial question is that it’s a leap of faith. There is no way we can find out if this is true unless we do it.
We can only know it if we answer the call.
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NOTE: Many of these ideas today are from Dr. Jordan Peterson.
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Please read my books:
I recommend that those new here search back and get the older ‘rules’ to read and enjoy. And you will enjoy them. What I like is these are easy to read and learn. just read them. And then think about how to apply them to your daily life.
We’re now up to Rule #67 and counting. Gen. Satterfield, more please.
Beautiful “rule.” This particular rule “answer the call” is something I think is a universal drive, and one that explains largely the migration of humans across the face of our planet. We keep pushing outward, and keep on pushing. It is a psychological component of how we think and maybe what we think.
Interesting take on this article, Eddie Ray, and I do appreciate your comment. One thing I have found in this leadership forum that is provided for us, is that I actually get a chance to learn something. Better, I find that the short article format works for me. I can go here and read up on something that gives me a much better view of (feel for) being a good person than in longer articles found elsewhere. Thanks to Gen. Satterfield for that. And in his book “55 rules for a good life” we can see how that v3rey format works great. The book is easy to read, fairly short, and you are able to open it anywhere and pickup a major useful idea. Thanks again Eddie. Good look.
Yep, another classic RULE.
General Satterfield has written another spot-on comment about what makes us human. His entire series on “rules” about how to act properly, and with dignity and respect for others is worthy of deep compliments. I hope that he soon comes out with an updated version of his book on rules (see link above and i recommend the book). Everyone reading it will come away better off than before, as long as they are willing to buy into most of those rules. As a person who has studied sociology and psychology, these rules are simply stronger ‘mores’ that any society that is successful has. A fan awaiting the next book.
Great start to a great think piece.
“As we walk through life, as we normally do, there are things that will call out to us. If we pursue them, they will take us on a deep journey. ” – Brig. Gen. Doug Satterfield
Another classic by General Satterfield on a “rule” for a good/better life. And I will agree that we must “answer the call” from our heart (even if he doesn’t say it’s from the heart) rather than from our head. We all know what our ancestors did and did not do, and that should be a natural guide on how to live a more fulfilling life. But to do something stupid and anti-human and anti-nature is the opposite of making us go down the pathway of a good life. Like the latest craze of “trans” which is a serious mental illness that most folks – some of them good – are allowing to go on without any pushback whatsover. And let’s not dance around the terms, the “men can be women” ideology is horrible and evil to the core. Those who are “trans” are forever scared and will never be part of an open, honest, truth-telling culture. They must hide, always hide themselves. Sad.
Nailed it. The transition community in their deeply held but perverted beliefs must now isolate themselves from the rest of us because they know that we will tell them the truth, and the truth is crushing. Read gen. satterfield in RULE 3 Never Lie, Cheat, or Steal. And do not needlessly tolerate those who do. The most fundamental bond among humans since the beginning of time is trust. When we lie, cheat, or steal, we break that bond. We are betraying others, and we are corrupting ourselves in the process. You will lose the race to success if you lie, cheat, or steal. Never, ever betray your brothers (or sisters). Satterfield, Brig. Gen. Douglas. 55 Rules for a Good Life: Pursuing Truth and Responsibility (p. 22). Douglas R. Satterfield. Kindle Edition.
Careful not to draw attention to them or they will be violent.
Answering the call demands total sacrifice, not half-measures, as Cain learned. Full pursuit transforms us into capable leaders. Responsibility is our justification for existence. Half-efforts yield regret and mediocrity. Embracing the heaviest burdens matures the soul. Aim at the highest good daily. Faith bridges the leap into unknown growth. Past worthy offerings light dark paths. Avoid avoidance of this core duty. Commitment delivers what we need. Peterson’s influence shines here. Biblical truth anchors leadership. Family and service exemplify the call. Rule 66 inspires action now.
Improvements: Tighten biblical tie to personal Army examples; add one concrete modern case study; end with actionable challenge for readers. 🙏
SWEET
“That is the justification for our existence.” – Gen. Doug Satterfield explaining what the epistemological question of our existence is.
👍 All thumbs up here for giving us a look into the drive to be better than we are, or maybe to pursue something that is deep and biological. 🎯 You’ve nailed it once again, Gen. Satterfield and I’m happy to say we are at the “Rule 66” level. ✅. Wow. 🫡. I salute you for your persistence and for your exceptional guidance to folks like me, just the average guy who goes to work and is trying to raise a family. 👩👦 Keep coming up with more of these “rules,” because we all want to read more of them. 🤠
Cowboy Bob, you da man.