The Power Of The Four Agreements

A few weeks ago I took a yin yoga class where the teacher was talking about a powerful, life-changing book she recently read. That book was The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. The key concepts of this best-selling book are simple:

1. Be impeccable with your word 2. Don’t take anything personally

3. Don’t make assumptions 4. Always do your best.

Though the agreements are simple, they often hard to employ in times of stress, in conflict, or when when we’re feeling down or ill. That said, they are all like golden rules to live by that can actually change how we move through the colors of our world.

When we speak with integrity and are careful not to hurt others with words, we can focus on lifting people up wIth love and grace. It’s important to note that we often aren’t kind to our own selves with negative self-talk and doubt, and should extend ourself that same grace. Speaking with integrity involves digging down deep to listen to your heart so you can speak with honesty and transparency, and not bottle things up that need to be expressed.

It’s really hard to NOT take negative things that someone has said or done personally, or when something doesn’t go your way. We ALL tend to take things on the chin – even when we shouldn’t. It’s important to remember that often people say things they don’t really mean just because they’re having a bad day, and that “nothing others do is because of of you.” I love the message of freedom here too: “When you are immune to the opinions of others, you won’t be the victim of endless suffering.”

The third agreement is all about making assumptions, which we often do when we are waiting on news or waiting to hear from someone. We also make assumptions through miscommunication and misunderstandings. Listen up – this powerful agreement is all about avoiding sadness, worry and drama in our life! Commit to communicating clearly so you can sail through days with a lot more ease.

Last but not least is to always do your best. Always put your best foot forward – even when you’re feeling down, tired or sick. It’s easier said than done, but when we do our best, we get the very best back! And we can again avoid that negative self-talk and guilt when things don’t turn out the way we wanted them to.

Live by these golden rules, and you’ll find a lot more peace and joy in being beautifully imperfect, perfect you!

XOXO, Namaste, Heather