How To Live A Great Life Only By Four Simple Agreements
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
I always was the bad person in my family. I had been in more trouble than anyone else. I was always a negative person and I only cared about myself. I wasn’t living a very good life. I had trouble in school, no one liked me, and I get teased a lot. I was full of hatred, jealousy, anger, and resentment. I felt that my life was always going to be the same until I was introduced to a great book by Don Miguel Ruiz called The Four Agreements. I couldn’t express my gratitude enough until after I realized the life I had created for myself due to my past actions. Now I’m in the best state of my life ever! My life had truly turned around. What Don had shared in the book is about how you can live your best life ever by practicing the simple four agreements everyday.
The First Agreement: Always Be Impeccable With Your Word
Every word that you speak is magic, because it’s a very powerful tool that can create and destroy human lives. Your words can create prosperity and abundance for yourself. Otherwise when you misuse your words for instance profanity, it can cause chaos. I had often misused my words which it had created lots of trouble for me. I had been beat down, punished, and lost some of my best friends. While living in New York City, whenever I speak to random people, I was always impeccable with my words, which had created a whole new circle of friends. You have to be careful of what you speak because it will most definitely have an effect on the other person’s life.
The Second Agreement: Never Take Anything Personally
Have you ever got angry when you get turned down for something? Ever since I had moved to New York City, I had come across a lot of very negative people. I had to talk to random people out on the streets. Whenever I said hello, I mostly get rude responses. I took it very personally because they were rude for no apparent reason. Was it because I was ugly? I had always let my emotions get the best of me and I became trapped in their agreements. Then I realized I wasn’t responsible for their actions, it was because of them. They were the ones going through problems, and they take it out on me. That’s why no one should ever take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you, its because of themselves! Whenever receiving negative remarks, they transfer their poison to the other person, which goes to the next person. Its like a virus. Always think logically instead of emotionally, because you will be suffering over nothing. You have the choice to agree with them or not. For instance I used to take it very offensive when I received constructive criticism from my friends. The reason why so I can become better what I do so I won’t make the same mistake. That’s why it’s always important to not take things so personally.
The Third Agreement: Don’t Make Assumptions
Have you ever done something without asking, and made the biggest mistake of your life? I was the kind of person who thought who knew everything. I was always afraid of asking. I was always afraid of being rejected. When I want to talk to a particular person, I judge by their looks, attitude, and assume they don’t want to talk to me. Then I suffer for nothing. I realized that I was wrong and turned out by taking courage of asking, everything turned out to me magnificent. What ever you want in life, please take the courage to ask questions. You can’t assume everything, no one is perfect. Making assumptions leads to a lot of problems, which can cause fights, and destroy relationships. I remembered when I wanted to take a trip to Miami, I thought I was unable to go. I noticed my work schedule, and it seem impossible to take time off from work. I was really determined to go. I was afraid of asking my boss if there was something that could be worked out. What did I have to lose? Nothing! I took the courage, spoke to my boss, then the next thing I my schedule was free! Everything was set until my finances got in the way. My only hope was my rent check. I called the rental office and kindly ask if I could be late with the rent. With having to pay the late fee, I was able to go to Miami! Always take the courage to ask, you have nothing to lose.
The Fourth Agreement: Always Do Your Best
I was always known to be lazy. I used to think that good things will come to me by doing nothing. All my life I had been too comfortable with myself. I had dreams and goals to pursue. I get inspired when anyone I knew who made accomplishments for themselves. I had realized that I wasn’t happy and I knew the reason for my unhappiness. I wasn’t very passionate of what I did. I started focusing on my passions. I found a new opportunity that I was very passionate about. I took action, preformed the work, I gave it my best, and had dramatic results. Always do your best at everything you do regardless! Without your best, you will set yourself up for regrets, and suffering. Trying too hard is a waist of energy. You have to love what you do to succeed. If you like what you do, keep your best at it; you will enjoy your life. Therefore there wouldn’t be any frustrations or boredom. Often times people are trying too hard to accomplish goals, they make mistakes, and become disappointed with themselves. You have to learn from your mistakes. Learning from mistakes means that you are being aware of the results by practicing. Doing your best means that you have accomplished yourself, regardless of the results you receive afterwards.
Don covers lot more ground from the book than just The Four Agreements. He speaks about the way of life, and how to live it effectively. I encourage you to purchase a copy of his book. His book will make your dreams a reality!
To your success!