The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz

Contributor: Michelle Smeby

This is another book that after reading a few chapters I bought multiple copies to give to those whom I love. “Life-changing” is the most common adjective I have heard used to describe this book, and though true, that description just barely scratches the surface for me.

In The Four Agreements, Don Miguel Ruiz sheds light on how what we have been trained to think, by society and by our own upbringings, can become poisonous in our minds. How we have chosen to agree with the world around us to certain thoughts that are not serving our best and highest good. Anything that limits us, or that makes us believe that we are not good enough, that we are not beautiful enough, that we are not enough… limits us by our choice to agree with that limitation. Don Miguel Ruiz says (and I agree): Enough!

Instead, let’s consciously make four new agreements: I choose to be impeccable with my word (say and think only positive things). I choose to not take anything personally (don’t take on the poison from anyone else). I choose to not make any assumptions (allow things to be what they truly are, instead of what I assume them to be). I choose to always do my best (I love myself and know I am always doing the best I can, given the situation).

By making these new agreements, and choosing each and every day to live by these new agreements, I have seen how my life and the lives of those around me who have also made this choice are being transformed. We no longer choose to create or take in the poisons, and are not only becoming gentler and more loving with ourselves, but are also becoming gentler and more loving with everyone around us. And that kind of good influence is exactly what will heal us all!