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...