A best-selling book by Don Miguel Ruiz called The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom explains the origin of the self-limiting thoughts that rob us of happiness and cause unnecessarily painful suffering. The Four Agreements, a strong rule of conduct based on ancient Toltec wisdom, can quickly change our lives and usher in a new feeling of freedom, genuine happiness, and love.
The book has been translated into 46 other languages and has sold over 10 million copies only in the United States. Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Deepak Chopra, Wayne Dyer, and Dan Millman have praised it, and it has been on the New York Times Bestselling list for almost ten years.
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- Be Impeccable With Your Word.
- Don't Take Anything Personally.
- Don't Make Assumptions.
- Always Do Your Best.
Be Impeccable With Your Word
The first Agreement states that you must always speak truthfully and with integrity and that you must use your words to advance love and truth. Your words have the power to either create or destroy, to either heal or harm, to either elevate or degrade. Being perfect with your word prevents you from lying, gossiping, criticizing, condemning, or judging, as well as from using your word against yourself or others. Additionally, you refrain from breaching your agreements or obligations to others or to yourself. You use your words to communicate clearly and politely, to express your actual feelings and thoughts, and to make your intentions and desires known.
Being impeccable with your word has many benefits, such as:
- It increases your sense of self-worth and respect for other people.
- You become more confident and self-assured.
- In your relationships, it lessens tension and conflict.
- In your life, it draws favorable outcomes and chances.
- You no longer have to feel regret, humiliation, or guilt.
Don't Take Anything Personally
The second agreement is to not take anything personally, which implies that you won't let other people's attitudes, deeds, or behaviors affect how you feel about yourself. You come to see that what people say or do is a reflection of their own reality, as well as their own hopes, fears, beliefs, and projections. You don't let their statements or deeds interfere with your sense of value, happiness, or mood. You don't take offense at either their praise or criticism. You don't grant them the authority to characterize or affirm you. You are aware of your identity and your values.
Not taking anything personally has many benefits, such as:
- You are guarded against sorrow and emotional distress.
- You become free from rage, grudges, and envious feelings.
- You have the freedom to express yourself authentically.
- It makes it possible for you to value and accept people for who they are.
- You can see new things and have new opportunities.
Don't Make Assumptions
The third agreement is to avoid making assumptions, which entails refraining from drawing hasty conclusions or passing judgment before thoroughly investigating the matter. You don't presume to understand what people are feeling, thinking, or doing. You also don't presume they are aware of your thoughts, feelings, or actions. You don't presuppose that things are or will come out in a certain manner. To avoid miscommunications, confusion, and conflict, you express yourself clearly and ask questions. In every circumstance, you look for the reality and the truth.
Not making assumptions has many benefits, such as:
- Your ability to communicate and understand others will improve.
- It lessens your faults and errors.
- Your capacity for creativity and problem-solving is improved.
- In your interactions, it promotes cooperation and trust.
- It avoids disappointment and irritability.
Always Do Your Best
Doing your very best at all times implies giving your all to whatever you are doing at any given time. This is the fourth agreement. You always try your hardest with what you have, regardless of the situation, your attitude, your health, your level of energy, etc. You don't assess or contrast yourself with others. You don't identify with the result or the outcome. You pay attention to the action and the process. You take pleasure in your work and grow from it.
Doing your best has many benefits, such as:
- Your performance and productivity go up as a result.
- Your motivation and contentment are increased.
- Your abilities and skills grow as a result.
- Your opportunities and potential are increased.
- You receive fulfillment and happiness as a result.
Conclusion
Don Miguel Ruiz's book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom has the power to improve your life. The limiting ideas and agreements that you have made with yourself and others, as well as those that have been imposed on you by your family and society, can be overcome by implementing the four agreements in your daily life. You may restore your personal independence and power and build a new world of love and happiness for both you and everyone else.
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