The most important thing that I did this summer was work on loving and accepting myself. I had been caught up in negative thoughts such as comparing myself to others, which ultimately, was hard on me. There have been multiple occasions where I felt as though the world and others were out to get me. I wasn’t able to trust others unless I could trust myself. That is, until I was recommended the book The Four Agreements by author Don Miguel Ruiz, which completely changed me.
The Four Agreements is a wisdom book that guides one to personal freedom. It has been a pleasure to explore this book and the truth that resides inside of me. I hope to inspire others to read this book and experience the life-changing journey.
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
This is the most important and most powerful agreement, but it is the hardest one to practice. Your word is powerful because it can create beauty or it can destroy relationships around you. Ruiz says that “the word can set you free, or it can enslave you even more than you know.” By making the first agreement, you will be able to rid of the poisonous thoughts inside of you. You will allow yourself to accept all true, loving words from yourself and others, and reject the negative and poisonous words.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
If others are not being impeccable with their word towards you, do not take it personally. This is because it is a reflection on them, and not on you. We all live in our own worlds, which means we all have different perceptions and assumptions of the world around us. Others' perceptions are completely different and do not involve us whatsoever. Only you know the truth, and you should not let what other people think of you affect you in any way. Our opinion of ourselves is much more important than the opinions of others around us.
3. Don't Make Assumptions
We more than often believe that assumptions are true. We make assumptions, we take them personally, and then we react by not being impeccable with our word. We create much poison from assumptions, and this is because we do not ask for clarification. We need to learn to ask more questions and gather more pieces of the puzzles before allowing the poison to leak. We also constantly imagine throughout the day, creating scenarios that are false and poisonous. It is important to remember that not everyone thinks, feels, or judges the same way that we do. Ask questions, communicate clearly, and your relationships will change.
4. Always Do Your Best
When you do your best, you are doing what you love simply because it makes you happy. There are no regrets, no guilt, and no anger. Ruiz says, “When you do your best you learn to accept yourself.” You deserve a life full of love and happiness. Do what you love and love what you do. All that matters in life is to please yourself; do whatever makes you happy. We only get one life to live, so it might as well be a happy, free, and loving one.
I highly suggest this book to anyone and everyone of any age. I strongly suggest that you read one agreement at a time so that you allow yourself to fully understand that agreement before moving onto the next one. Good luck on your journey to personal freedom.
