The Four Agreements
by Don Miguel Ruiz
This book speaks to the fact that we make agreements within ourselves about how we will behave. These agreements are sometimes prompted by circumstances and the behaviors or comments of other people in our lives whom we trust to tell the truth.
Ruiz suggests that we make the following agreements with ourselves:
- 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.
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.
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.
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.