The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.
Don Miguel Ruiz uses the teachings of the Toltec to help his readers understand the humanity we carry and how to dive deeper into our emotional and soulful being. His writing style provides the reader with a spiritual connection often overlooked by other self-help books and provides a detailed guide to discover your power. His book, THE FOUR AGREEMENTS lays a foundation for self-awareness and blissfulness. Below I share a snippet of the four agreements and why it is important to apply them to your own life.
1. Be Impeccable with your word
“Your words have the power to create”
Have you ever said something hurtful and automatically regretted it? or have you ever been hurt by words? If your answer is "yes", then you understand why words are powerful and why you should think before you speak. In the receiver's mind, every word is like a seed. If the seed is filled with hatred and negativity then what sprouts will be exactly that. This doesn't only apply to what you say to others, but also what you say to and about yourself.
2. Don't take anything personally
“Taking things personal is the greatest expression of Ego, because we think everything revolves around us”
When we take things personally, it is a reflection of ourselves and nothing more. No one is responsible but you! When you take things personally you suffer for no good reason and you begin to doubt your greatness. Don't give other people the power to negate or praise your brilliance, because that power is only yours.
3. Don't make assumptions
“We make assumptions of ourselves and that creates internal chaos”
I'm going to be completely honest, and say I am guilty of this. I am an overthinker and when I do not receive all the details of a situation, I begin to create my own assumptions. This is a huge NO NO! Assumptions only create unnecessary chaos. Our mind is always looking to justify, explain, and understand uncertainty but assumptions do not give you answers, asking questions does. Hell, sometimes you won't get the answers you are seeking and that is okay. Learn to be okay with uncertainty and thrive!
4. Always do your best
“Your best will look different depending on how you are doing physically, mentally and spiritually”
When you give your best to everything you do, you experience a sense of accomplishment. Make it a mission to show up for yourself with all of what you got to give. This doesn’t mean push yourself to a burnout or breaking point. Remember, your best will look different every day based on your energy and emotional state. This agreement will be a challenge, but it will be worth it in the end. Consistency is always Key!
Which agreement will you apply to your life first?