I’m a big fan of Dexter, the Showtime series about a serial killer.  While he is a sociopath, Dexter does have a set of “commandments” set down by his adoptive father, Harry.  The Code of Harry dictates who Dexter can kill, and keeps his urges under control:

The Code of Harry

1. Killing innocents is NEVER allowed
2. Always take time and make sure you have the right person-EVIDENCE
3. Be extremely careful with the killing and more importantly the PREPARATION!
4. Remember: YOU control your urges to kill, they don’t control you.
5. Fake emotion and normality to fit in.
6. Never get caught!
7. When taking a psychology personality test, always answer the question with the opposite of what you feel

What if you’re not a sociopath?

We all have urges to control, whether they be the urge to eat that leftover pizza while dieting, drink another beer, sneak a cigarette, use credit cards to buy more stuff.  I have my own that I  struggle with, namely junk food and coffee.  I’ve kicked the coffee habit, and did so without the benefit of a Code of Harry.  I could use one for the junk food, though, and thought about compiling my own list of commandments for various urges.  Call it the Code of Hairy, in honor of my beard.  Here’s one for conspicuous spending:

The Code of Hairy

1. Using credit cards while carrying a balance is NEVER allowed.
2. Always take time and make sure you have the right coupon.
3. Be extremely mindful when shopping and more importantly COMPARISON SHOP!
4. Remember: YOU control your urges to spend, they don’t control you.
5. Don’t worry about fitting in.  You’re sane, remember?  Be frugal.  Go against the tide.
6. Get caught by your shopaholic friends, and then share some tips.
   
7. When you’re asked to sign up for a store credit card, say NO.

Find what works for you

You get my drift.  My message is, be prepared before you get put in a bad situation.  If a serial killer can abide by some rules, so can you.  Think before you act, and you can save yourself the pain of getting into more debt.  If commandments don’t work for you find something that does.  A mantra.  An affirmation.  Even a Haiku:

A huge one day sale

Will add debt that forces me

To work many years

OK, so that sucked.  But the point is, find your own method to keep those urges in check.  Control your Dark Passenger, and you control your life.

Any other Dexter fans out there?  How do you control your own destructive urges?  Do you know any good Haikus?

Someone talk to me.  My Dark Passenger is stirring.

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