Quote:
Originally Posted by masraum
I must have missed it (and scrolled back up, but not every page). What book are you talking about?
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It's a cool book.
1. Be Impeccable with Your Word
The first agreement addresses the power of the language we use – in spoken word as well as thought. “The word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate, to think and thereby to create the events in your life.” Ruiz warns us to be careful to use this force for good, rather than to destroy.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Ruiz’s second agreement helps to guide us in our interactions with others: “Whatever people do, feel, think or say, don’t take it personally.” Ruiz explains that the way others speak and act are projections of their own reality rather than truly being about us. He invites us to let go of the pain, anger and envy we attach to others’ actions and reminds us that we can only be responsible for ourselves – not the choices or actions of others.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions
The third agreement calls us to examine the negative ways our assumptions affect our relationships. “We make the assumption that everyone sees life the way we do. We assume that others think the way we think, feel the way we feel, judge the way we judge,” but in reality our perspectives are as unique as our fingerprints. Ruiz proposes that accepting that our assumptions about others as truth creates misunderstandings, conflict and unnecessary drama in our lives. He encourages us to change this by having courage to ask questions and to communicate clearly.
4. Always Do Your Best
Ruiz’s final agreement calls us to put forth our very best effort into our language and relationships - into whatever it is that we do. Our best effort will vary from one day to the next; stepping into responsibility for our best (no more and no less) challenges us to live life intensely, offers us freedom from unrealistic standards and creates a step-by-step map towards healing in our journey. “If you do your best always, over and over again, you will become a master of transformation. Practice makes the master. By doing your best you become a master.”