Here is a brief description of a book that I have been thinking about a lot lately. I feel that the summary below gives a good idea of what the four agreements are and what they can do for you and your life.
In the book The Four Agreements, don Miguel Ruiz gives four principles to practice in order to create love and happiness in your life. Adopting and committing to these agreements is simple. Actually living and keeping these four agreements can be one of the hardest things you will ever do. It can also be one of he most life changing things you will ever do.
As you practice living these four practices your life will dramatically change. In the beginning these new habits will be challenging and you will lapse countless times. With practice these agreements become integrated into your being and every area of your life and become easy habits to keep.
The Four Agreements are:
1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
Just some food for thought… Every time you find yourself in a situation like the picture above, don’t forget to be thankful. Take time to realize how lucky you are to have even the extra time and resources to enjoy a scone (or whatever you prefer) at a coffee shop… and how lucky you are to be healthy… and how lucky you are to be able to do it again and again…
I spent a couple nights up in Boston seeing friends that I never get to see. The first being my close friend Christopher who actually had his birthday and spent the night with me eating boxed cake and a feast of different kinds of food. I ate so much food that I woke up with stomach cramps!!! The next day I met two friends for lunch. One of which I haven’t seen in over a year! The other was a couchsurfer. Anthony and Adrienne were great company and actually decided to meet up again after meeting one another! I spent the next few hours at the MFA. I walked through EVERY exhibit and saw some crazy things… my favorite was the mummified head! After the MFA was Pauline’s. We spent the night eating good food and having deep conversations about life. She even baked a pie!
All went well and I got home today exhausted but happy! I’m off to work now… here are some pictures of around the MFA and inside Pauline’s condo.
Today I was given a great gift. A new friend of mine helped me in ways I never thought anyone could. It just is amazing how quickly people can come into your life and change things with a phone call…
I must say I am feeling very lucky today. I hope I don’t start to become spoiled!
I woke up today after a long day of stomach pain. I decided to turn off the computer and do some mental rehab. First I read some of the Tao Te Ching and then moved on to chanting Om. I went to bed with a clearer head and woke up (whether related or unrelated) feeling better.
I’m just trying to stay happy and hope to clear out this emotional stress. But I feel a lot like a bubble that can burst… but a beautiful bubble that can burst can also experience an entire lifetime of wonder and awe…
Published by Derek under Personal on
February 9, 2010
Why me is all I can ask. I am sick again. I feel completely helpless, yet totally responsible. I know there is nothing I can do when sickness arrises other than wait for my body to secure my health again, but I feel as though better measures could have been taken on my part to stay healthy. Of course it could be worse and one of my favorite sayings reminds me “sickness is a part of good health”. We must be exposed to illness if we are to survive. But even with that thought, I feel lonely and pathetic. I am starting to feel better and am hoping for a speedy recovery because I can’t afford to be out of work… not this month. If anyone out there reads this, I hope you are well and energetic. Take care of yourself…
Published by Derek under Personal on
February 5, 2010
Our regrets are constant reminders of actions we made towards others that served no better purpose. They are actions that will continue to remind us of the times we acted, thought, or spoke in a way that lacked love and truth.
I am regretting words that I spoke last evening. I am writing this post to remind myself to harbor and sow thoughts, words, and deeds of love and trust. Presence is my guide through life and it will never lead me astray. If I embrace the present moment and let love into my heart I will never regret again.
Like mom’s around the world say every day… “if you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything at all” (this goes for thoughts and deeds)
