Words such as and, but, or, nor, for, yet, and so can combine clauses or phrases and are called conjunctions. Conjunctions can be coordinating, when they combine to words or independent clauses, or they can be subordinating, when there are subordinate clauses involved.
Bud goes through challenges and makes up rules as he goes along. Bud uses his rules to thrive in life because with them he can become successful and grow from them.