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I Honor Intentions, Not Rules

In April, I was watching a playoff hockey game between Boston and Toronto. Toronto led 2-1 with one minute and twelve seconds left in the game.

Toronto committed an “icing” infraction, and by rule, they are not allowed to substitute any players off the ice.

The intention of this rule is that Toronto is penalized by keeping their tired players on the ice, and Boston therefore has a better chance to score and tie the game. Players are rarely on the ice for more than forty seconds at a time, especially this late in the game.

Toronto’s players had been out there for almost two minutes, and they were exhausted.

Fortunately for them, the rule meant to penalize them actually bailed them out.

On the flip side, Boston was fucked by a rule that was meant to help them. Why?

The rule itself was valued over the intention of the rule.

Here’s what happened: The referees were unsure if one specific Toronto player, O’Reilly (no relation to Baba or Auto Parts), was on the ice at the time of the infraction. So what did they do? The referees spent FOUR MINUTES watching video replay to ensure they applied the rule correctly.

That four-minute break gave all five Toronto players plenty of time to fully rest their tired legs, and the rejuvenated players stopped Boston and won the game.

Boston fans were livid because, by adhering to a rule intended to keep tired players on the ice, the referees allowed all five Toronto players to fully rest.

Here’s what should have happened if the intention of the rule had been honored: The referees make a quick decision based on the information they have.

Keep O’Reilly on the ice? Or take him off?

It doesn’t matter. What matters is making Toronto play with tired players. Even if they make the wrong call on O’Reilly, Boston still would get to play against 4 other tired Toronto players and have a chance to tie the game.

But that’s not what happened.

By valuing the rule over its intention, the referees prompted the question: "What the fuck are we even doing here?"

A way to cut through bullshit

What the fuck are we even doing here?

I don’t know. From a universal perspective, we’ll never know for sure.

My personal belief is we are “God” living out a bunch of different lives and experiences, but this belief is an aside.

My invitation here is to see through—and hopefully cut through—bullshit in your life by honoring the intention behind rules, not the rules.

Hopefully, my hockey story landed my point. And if you don’t sports, I apologize that’s the story I chose.

So for you, let’s examine a few other rules!

Rule: Do not Murder. Intention of Rule: To deter murdering.

I can get on board with this one.

Rule: Buyers of products must read the Terms & Conditions. Intention of Rule: Inform buyers what they’re getting into & protect the company.

Protecting the company makes sense, although expecting me to read 40 pages of 8 pt. font written in legalese is ridiculous…and if your product injures me, I’m still gonna sue you.

Cultural Rule: Listen to anyone who decides to share their problems with me, whenever they want. Intention of Rule: Support people in need.

I’m not your therapist. I love being able to support you if I’m able, but when I follow the rule, I burn out and can’t support anyone. I can honor the intention of the rule when I support people on my terms.

And to see those terms & conditions, click here…

Just kidding.

😄 Funny Business

📊 Community Poll

Results for last week’s question: How do you pack for travel?

We’re all across the board with our packing! I bet most of us vibe with Charlene and Steve:

And I can put your mind at ease by informing you that my mom has the utmost confidence in her underwear size:

On to this week’s question…

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Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it. - Epictetus