The Four Agreements is a book written by Miguel Ruiz, an author and spiritual teacher. The book outlines four principles that, when applied to daily life, can help individuals achieve a sense of personal freedom and happiness. I personally have experienced this when consciously focusing on The Four Agreements. These agreements are based on ancient Toltec wisdom, and they provide a framework for living a life that is free from negative beliefs and self-limiting behaviors.
Agreement 1: Be impeccable with your word.
The first agreement is all about the power of language. According to Ruiz, our words have the power to create or destroy, to heal or harm. Being impeccable with your word means speaking with integrity, saying only what you mean, and avoiding gossip and negativity.
Agreement 2: Don't take anything personally.
The second agreement is all about recognizing that other people's actions and words are a reflection of their own beliefs and experiences, not a reflection of your worth or value. Don't take anything personally means recognizing that you are not responsible for other people's opinions or behavior, and that their words and actions are not a reflection of your own worth.
Agreement 3: Don't make assumptions.
The third agreement is all about the danger of assuming things about other people and situations without verifying the facts. Making assumptions can lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and missed opportunities. Don't make assumptions means asking questions, seeking clarification, and avoiding jumping to conclusions.
Agreement 4: Always do your best.
The fourth agreement is all about committing to excellence and personal growth. Always do your best means putting your best effort into everything you do, and recognizing that your best effort will vary depending on the situation. It means avoiding self-judgment and focusing on the process of growth and improvement.
I recommend starting out focusing on the First Agreement only and applying it to your day for at least a week. Then move on to a focus on the Second Agreement having laid the groundwork with practicing the First Agreement. By moving Agreement by Agreement in practice, we can better understand where each of the Agreements tend to challenge us and where we need to focus on practicing it.
Applying the four agreements to daily life can have a profound impact on one's sense of peace, happiness, and fulfillment. By speaking with integrity, avoiding taking things personally, avoiding making assumptions, and always doing your best, you can create a life that is free from negativity, judgment, and self-limiting beliefs.
References:
Ruiz, M. (1997). The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. Amber-Allen Publishing.
"The Four Agreements" on the official website of Miguel Ruiz: https://www.miguelruiz.com/the-four-agreements