September 12--The Four Agreements

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.  --Don Miguel Ruiz

    This sounds like one of the Four Agreements: Don't make assumptions. Mr. Ruiz wrote a book of that name. The other three Agreements are don't take anything personally, always do your best, and be impeccable with your word. If you have not read this book, it would offer that it is definitely worth the time. It is no small challenge to live by those Four Agreements, but it surely makes life and relationships much smoother and easier.  

    Here are the summary statements of the other three Agreements from the book:

    Don't take anything personally: Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering. 

    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 circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret. 

    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. 

    Practice, practice, practice,

        Leta