Can We Agree on Just Four Things?

Is there anything we can agree on amid all the adversity dividing us?

We all seem to hold tightly to what makes us feel safe, convinced that our way is the right way, the only way.

But is it?

Miguel Ruiz left neurosurgery to explore the spiritual side of our humanity. He identified four actions to counter the self-limiting beliefs that rob us of joy and create suffering.

Ruiz calls these actions agreements, and while they appear straightforward, living them takes courage and strength. The Four Agreements require our willingness to break free of the constraints limiting our potential to build bridges toward understanding.

The Four Agreements *

No. 1 Be impeccable with your word.

Speak with integrity. Say 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.

No. 2 Don’t take anything personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their reality, their dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

No. 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.

No. 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 circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

What if?

What if we used our words to build bridges of understanding and empathy?

What if we took responsibility for our actions and stood up for what is right without worrying about what others might think of us?

What if we stopped making assumptions and instead searched for the truth?

What if we started today to do our best to treat ourselves and every human with love and kindness?

A song . . .

Consider . . .

“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
—Marie Curie

I always welcome your thoughts, so please leave a comment

And always—

Be kind. Be brave. Be you.

* Quoted from The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Miguel Ruiz