signposts and road maps

*recall the days before gps enabled phones and in-dash navigation

if you have ever traveled by car, you may have had an opportunity to utilize the occasional signpost or road map to find your way.  if you do not know the way, reaching your destination could prove quite difficult without some assistance.

people are like these items, signposts and road maps.

the road maps, you keep with you.  maybe within reach, or tucked away and brought out when necessary.  after a quick consultation you are on your way again.  so long as you don’t misplace it, the road map is always with you.

signposts, on the other hand, remain fixed.  the signpost points the way, but you cannot reach your destination until you take leave of the signpost.  though helpful to your journey, the signpost is no longer necessary in your travels.

my point?  road map people are with you the entire way.  they witness your progress from departure to destination.  they see the steps taken and turns made and know what you have become along the way.  

whereas, signpost people only know what you were at that moment in time, when paths crossed.  once you leave them behind, signpost people have no clue what has become of you.  in reality, the ultimate destination may not be of concern for signpost people.  their task is simply to point you in the right direction.

we all know people that fit these descriptions.  i am willing to bet that most of us owe debts of gratitude to people that have pointed the way, either by simply giving a heads up or showing the entire path.

if you know either of these type of people, and are in a position to do so, thank them.  let them know that you are heading in the right direction because of them.

it is possible they have no clue of the service they provided.

The Four Agreements

The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz

Agreement 1:
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.

• If people cannot trust your word, they have no reason to trust you.  Ever.  And nothing you say will dissuade them from what they believe about you from that point onward.

Agreement 2:
Don't tackle anything personally - Nothing others do is because of you.  What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream.  When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

• You are not a martyr.  You are not a victim.  Let me rephrase that... You are not a victim of anyone other than your own delusions.  See Agreement 3.

Agreement 3:
Don't make assumptions - 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.  With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

• If you want to know, ask.  If you don't want to know, don't give the matter another thought.  Assuming you know anything, without widening your knowledge base, is the surest sign that you know nothing.

Agreement 4:
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 circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

• Always...