About two months ago I finished reading this incredible book called, The Four Agreements. The book is rooted in ancient Toltec wisdom and gives you four principles to practice to create love and happiness in your life.
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.
I love was how The Four Agreements helped me to not take anything personally. When people speak ill of you or give you their harsh opinion, it has nothing to do with you. What others say and do is just a projection of their own reality, their own insecurities. Once you are able to realize this, you no longer suffer from other people's opinions or actions.
What Ruiz does is give you an outline that you can work on implementing into your life for permanent change and happiness. I love these agreements and do my best to consciously implement them daily. What do you think about the four agreements? Which do you think will be the hardest for you to implement?