Saturday, November 08, 2003

• This was written and posted last night.  I am updating it for today.
  Tonight I'm writing about another way that I've come to know a sense of peace.  Back in July, I began reading The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz.  The agreements explained in this book have helped me so much that I want to share them.  I practice these every day, and often I fail, but when I succeed it brings me a sense of calm throughout my day.  Here they are, my thoughts are shown in this font/color, everything else was taken from the above link.
  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.   See.. this doesn't just mean, "don't tell lies" it's much more then that.  It compels you to use your word for Love.  In other words, if you don't have something nice to say, say nothing at all.  Also, this agreement applies to embellishment and exaggeration.  These are two very prominent flaws in the expression of my word.  I am learning that I do not need to make things better/bigger then they are.  Everything is just as it is supposed to be.  Perfect, even though it may not feel that way.

  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 really had an impact on me.  Before this, I had spent my life assuming that everyone else in the world was examining/analyzing/criticizing me.  In hindsight I see how conceited it was to feel like others were concerned with me.  Even if someone purposely tries to hurt you, it still isn't about you.  It's about them and what they are lacking or what they see in you they dislike about themselves as well.  Hence, they lash out at you.  This has made such a difference in my relations to others, my family, friends.  If I am happy with myself then the words of others can not hurt me. Can. Not.  So far this has proven true for me.

  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. This one is more difficult then it sounds.  I make assumptions every minute of every day without even realizing it.  So my first step here was to learn how to recognize it before I make the assumption...To stop myself in mid-assume, so to speak.  I now try to clarify the intent before I come to a conclusion.  I try to avoid drama.  I do my best to not bring sadness to anyone and if I do I don't assume that they know I'm sorry, I apologize. 

  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.  What an amazing concept...your best is not always the same and sometimes, quite frankly, your best will truly suck.  That's okay.  Each moment is an opportunity to try again.  Each moment IS all there IS.  My best today was much different then my best yesterday.  Tomorrow may be better then today or worse.  I'm shooting for better.  Sometimes the only thing I'm good at doing my best at is sulking.  But I try again.  That's the key...keep on.  Keep on trying to get the kids to eat good food.  Keep on trying to keep my house clean.  Keep on trying to meditate.  Keep on trying to do yoga.  As long as I do my best, I can not be disappointed in myself.  Self-love is the first step to loving others as Spirit loves us.

  See how it all connected for me?

  So, these are practical ways that I strive to attain a constant sense of inner peace.  It has made a difference in my life and I present it here hoping that it reaches anyone else that is ready to hear it.

  I am thankful tonight for just about everything.  Recently, I've been feeling much inner joy (even if I'm outwardly tired and grouchy).  Most of all, though, I am thankful for the miracle that is our world.  I feel we are approaching a change for the better, I hope that we fulfill our potential. 

  • 8:27 AM
  • 40 eprops
  • 21 comments