Tuesday, June 22, 2004

The Four Agreements

So often it seems that people torture themselves trying to figure out the people around them. We forget that the only person we have any control of, at least in part, is ourselves. Even though we don't have total control - can't control who you fall in love with, but can control what you do about it - a person can lead a happy life even in the face of adversity by keeping the Four Agreements in mind.

1. Be Impeccable with your word - Speak with integrity and only say what you mean. Avoid using words to speak against yourself or against others. Use the power of your words to increase truth and love in the world.

2. Don't take anything personally - Nothing that others do is really because of you. What others do and say is a projection of their own reality. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you will not 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.

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 because someone else is behaving badly, it does not give you an excuse to behave badly too.

No comments: