The Four Agreements

   There comes a time in a person's life that they must take a long look inward at themselves. In that scrutiny they have to ask some very important questions. I have been doing this recently and have found issues about myself that I had not realized I was causing. Little by little I have delved into these tidbits of myself to realize that there is a special person under all the bad I heap upon myself.

   There is a book I am reading called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and it is a book that will bring on a transformation.
Here is a tidbit of it:

The Four Agreements are very simple, but very profound. To embrace and live each of the Four Agreements is to find yourself experiencing personal freedom--possibly as never before.  The Four Agreements are:  Be Impeccable With Your Words

Don't Take Anything Personally

Always Do Your Best

From the cover of the book I saw these words and realized this is something I need to read now. I read these and made comments to each one of them so I am aware of what path I will be walking upon during this journey. 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. - This is something I am very aware of and try to do. I know words have power so one must be careful with what they say. I am guilty of using words to speak against myself. It seems that if anything bad or unhappy happens to me it has to be my fault. I did this or that wrong or I am just not a good enough person, etc. I realized that this bad tape playing over and over in my mind was projecting negativity into the world and bringing it right back to me. I have watched what I have said and not said in the past few months. I have chosen my words wisely and will continue to do so. Never would I wish my words to hurt, I only wish to show my love and uplift those around me. 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 is the hardest lesson for me. For example I feel responsible for those who leave me. I feel as if I were better or prettier or smarter or something more they would have stayed. I know now that I can only live my own dream and if someone wishes to come play with me in my world then welcome them with open arms. When they leave then they are off to pursue their own dream and I should not have any hurt over this as it is not personal to me. I should be happy for them as they go off on their journey. My self esteem issues are the root here and those are being worked on. The first person to love me has to be me and until I love myself unconditionally then no one else will. Work needs to be done. 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. - I have been making sure I do communicate clearly with others and making sure that the communication is filled with love and compassion. I want to have my say but it is scary at times to ask those questions because you are afraid of the answers. I have made so many assumptions and they are all negative towards me. I rarely will put down others but I will if it serves my bruised ego and this is something I must work on.  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 always do my best so I believe I am at a high here.

This book will help me find more inner peace and when I have that then I will be a better steward of the people who trust me with their hearts, minds and souls.