Agreements To Live By . . .

I am so happy to be back writing on my blog.  I appreciate the positive feedback that friends and readers have given me related to my past articles and their encouragement to get back to my writing.  I am excited to write on various topics fostering self-reflection and to introduce the books that have resonated with me and compliment the messages of life empowerment I share.  We are all on this life journey together.   If we strive to support even one person each day, we are also supporting ourselves. 

A book I read sometime ago was recently brought back into my conscious view.  Is it an accident when we feel compelled to pick-up a certain book off the shelf, are given a book by a friend or find just the right message contained in a book assigned for a new class on self-mastery?  Ummm…I personally do not believe in accidents, I truly feel we are brought to just the right book, person, place or situation as we need them.  Perhaps if you think about it, you have been similarly compelled?

The current book the universe has seen fit to bring into the scope of my “life radar’ is “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz.  Mr. Ruiz is able to brilliantly relate wisdom in the simplest of words.  He reinforces the fact that if we can hold on to some basic truths, he calls “agreements”, we will dramatically change our thinking and our lives.  The agreements include:  “Be Impeccable with Your Word”, “Don’t Take Anything Personally”, “Don’t Make Assumptions”, and “Always Do Your Best”.  Applying these four agreements regularly takes patience, practice and commitment. 

“Be Impeccable with Your Word” is described as positively supporting yourself through your self-talk and speaking your truth, and the truth of others, whenever possible.   Gossip, for example, spreads mistruths about others which hurts them but also hurts us.  Expressing negative emotions like anger, jealousy and hate does not lead to peace and serenity.  As Mr. Ruiz states, “Misuse of the word is how we pull each other down and keep each other in a state of fear and doubt”.  Our words are like seeds falling onto fertile soil, remember to plant what you wish to sow.

“Don’t Take Anything Personally” seems to be one that most of us can relate to.  The next time someone says something that makes you feel uneasy, angry, sad, or hurt recognize the emotion being triggered and ask yourself why you are feeling it. Determine if you truly agree with what was said before you react.  If you do not agree, the power of their words is lost.  Words only have the power we give them.  Ruiz explains, “…if you take it personally, then you take that poison and it becomes yours”.  If you can keep the truth of who you are as a stabilizing tool in your life, you will be less likely to be knocked off your center.

“Don’t Make Assumptions” is well described by Ruiz as falsehoods we believe as truths.  As he states, “ We have the need to justify everything, to explain and understand everything, in order to feel safe”.  He goes on to share, “We make the assumption that everyone sees life the way we do.  We assume that others think the way we think, feel the way we feel, judge the way we judge …”.   Asking questions brings clarification and helps to foster better understanding.  Our reactions can then be based on truths not assumptions.

“Always Do Your Best” reinforces that our best is not a straight line.  In some situations, on some days, you can bring you’re “A” game but not always.  Ruiz believes that when we do what we enjoy, we are most likely to do our very best and enjoy each moment of our life. 

The trick seems to be to apply the wisdom of these agreements while always staying true to our unique sense of self.  Ruiz advocates taking the time to understand who we are and what is important to us in order to bring more joy and peace into our lives.  Great advice!

“Where we look becomes our reality” by Bonnie