Review of “The Four Agreements” by Miguel Ruiz…Life Changer!
Greetings everyone! Hopefully, everyone is having a great start to the beginning of 2012. For me, I did not start my 2012 on the highest note and I was still looking for a way to learn more about myself and how to deal with the world around me. A very good friend turned me on to this great audiobook “The Four Agreements.” I purchased it through www.audible.com and it took no time at all. I definitely recommend their site (they’re owned by Amazon.com so you know they are official!)
Enough of that, let’s get into my review and why I felt the need to share this particular book. For the past few weeks, I have not had the best luck with my personal relationships which in turn caused me to do a lot of blaming, reflecting on things that occurred in those relationships. A lot of the time, it felt like I was being so critical of myself and my actions. When I read this book, my understanding was opened as to why I was doing a lot of those things. The author, Miguel Ruiz, does an excellent job of explaining how we as humans are conditioned to be very critical of ourselves. Ruiz illustrates that the world we live in is structured by “agreements” we make with others, and has been since we were children. Ruiz further concludes that a person can live a more peaceful life by breaking those old agreements and living life by “Four Agreements.” I will share them below and a key sentiment I got from Ruiz’ discussion of each agreement:
1) Be impeccable with your word.
- What you really are will be manifested with your word
- Being impeccable means not going against yourself, you don’t judge/blame yourself
2) Don’t take anything personally.
- All people live in their own dream, their own mind
- When we see people as they really are, without taking it personally, we can never be hurt by what they say or do; they lie to you out of fear
3) Don’t make assumptions.
- Always better to ask questions, assumptions set us up for suffering
- Find your voice to ask for what you want; they have the right to say “yes or no”
4) Always do your best!
- Doing your best is taking action because you love, and don’t expect a reward
- The first 3 agreements will only work if you always do your best!
There is a wealth of information in this book, but the above were just a few gems I took from the reading. Since reading this book, I have a renewed perspective on life and how deal with others. It is a challenge to live by each agreement daily, but I strive to do my best. I hope this book is helpful to each of you as it has been to me. I would love to hear your progress once you have read the book as well!
Love,
Ciara
