This quote is from the author of a book I always keep somewhere where I can at least see the hint of the cover at least daily as a reminder.
Don Miguel Ruiz is the author of The Four Agreements which describes four principles to practice in order to create love and happiness in your life, and free ourselves from the incredible amount of baggage we all carry around. They sound simple, but they are harder to consistently live by than you might think.
The agreements are based on the Toltec wisdom tradition which originated in southern Mexico thousands of years ago. It is not considered a religion, but a philosophy accessible to anyone open to its insights.
In a nutshell:
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. (Little Red Riding Hood always told me if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.)
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. (This one is the hard to remember, but one that I have implemented in various areas of past conflict or hangups in my life,and it has made my relationships so much richer. This one is huge.)
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. (Think how different the world would be if no one made assumptions. I need to work on this one.)
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. (This one has come in very handy with my latest challenges with my Mom. I have absolutely been doing my very best to ensure her well being and safety this last few years since her health has dramatically declined. Thank goodness I can realize this without hesitation most days.)
My version of this , summarized:
1. Keep my mouth shut if it’s not my business to tell or judge.
2. Most of the time, it’s not about me. Everyone has their own bag of issues.
3. Assumptions create problems, often where none exist.
4. My best is the best I can do.
Which agreement is your favorite?
life on wry 
Great post hon. No 3 is my fav. 🙂 *hugs*
Can I pick all 4 as my favorite? 🙂 This was a wonderful reminder. Thank you!
What an interesting book! I like them all but I find making assumptions can be a huge mistake. Some of my friends do this and before they know it, they have made up an entire story about something that is totally on the wrong track! I must get some copies of this book and hand them out at Christmas 😉
🙂 Glad you liked.
“Don’t make assumptions.” I am an overthinker, and tend to make all kinds of terrible things in my head instead of being patient and waiting for reality to reveal itself. Good post!
That seems to be the #1 favorite one for sure.
I think it’s a female thing. 🙂
ahhhh…. good point.
If I could do #3, I would avoid making an ass out of u & me! Really, I could be brave enough to clarify & that could alter the state of daily affairs😀
Okay now you’ve got me curious.
surely you’ve heard the cliche to never a-s-s-u-m-e, because it makes an a-s-s out of u-m
Okay now I get it. DUH. I seriously had never heard that, ever. I swear. But upon googling it I can see that I am one in a million who had never heard it! Too funny.
They are all so helpful in living a more balanced life, it’s hard to pick! Not making assumptions is a big one for me. That goes hand in hand with not taking things personally. Just letting life happen and not making judgments about it, but noticing it and my reactions to to it is enough. That is hard work–it takes a lot on de-programming!
My favorite: “… it’s not about me” … and as G.K. Chesterton said: “…How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it … You would break out of this tiny and tawdry theatre in which your own little plot is always being played, and you would find yourself under a freer sky, in a street full of splendid strangers…”
Awesome quote. How very true.
#1 is my favorite.. when one’s word is spoken with truth and honesty, well the bearer of those words is impeccable and that to me is a right human being.. (I hope that made sense)
Makes total sense. No doubt.
#1 is a doozy. I think we need to print it out on a 6 x 4 laminated sheet and send it to every politician we can…and to ourselves too.
Absolutely. Thanks so much for the comment!
#3 is the one that’s gotten me into trouble. By now I should no better, but sometimes I can still be a blockhead.
Oy, “know better”. It’s late over here. Gotta get to bed.
I new what you meant. 🙂
Ha!
#2 and #3. I’m always taking things personally and need to remember it’s about them and their problems, not me. And you know about assuming, right? …makes an ass of you and me. Yup, that’s about it. (Hey, ass=butt=girl you saw today.)
🙂
#2 because a bit of waterproofing against the Self-Doubt Deluge is essential.
Amen sister.
I like number one since I find more and more that being impeccable in word is a rare item and allows one to stand out.
Excellent point.
I have read that book and found it so helpful. It opened up a whole new world for me. I’m pretty good about 1 and 4 most of the time, but I have to keep reminding myself about #2 and #3! I would love to be so zen that I could accomplish all 4! But in order to do that I would have to come back as a monk in my next life! -): No kids, no family, just work and worship! hehe.
🙂