Jul09
{be inspired}: The 4 Agreements
My sister gave me the book, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz in 1998 as a birthday present. I have never heard of this book nor have I heard of the author. In 1998, I started reading a lot of personal development and spirituality books. It was the beginning of my spiritual journey. At that time, I was reading a lot of Jack Canfield’s Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Gary Zukav’s books. 1998 was the time when my mind opened up. A friend of mine suggested I read Deepak Chopra’s book, Ageless Body, Timeless Mind. I wasn’t ready yet at the time to read Deepak’s books.
I am not really sure why I started a spirituality journey at that time. I do remember I questioned why I was in a job that I did not love. In fact, I started even questioning being a nurse. From 1996-1998, working in the intensive care unit was tough for me. My fellow nurses were tough and mean. My patients were not getting better and were getting sicker and sicker to the point they were not surviving. And my personal life felt like a roller coaster. My feelings for my boyfriend at the time was up and down. Looking back, I wished I had the tools as I do now to help me. I wasn’t happy in all areas of my life.
Needless to say, I did not read The Four Agreements. That book was available to me but sat on my bookshelf, collecting dust. I would glance at it from time to time. But nothing ever moved me to open and read it.
In 2001, I moved to NYC and packed The Four Agreements with me, just in case. The book sat in my NYC apartment, collecting dust for the next 5 years. I moved again and again and finally in 2008, I opened the book and started reading it. I only read it because I read an article about Don Miguel Ruiz and many people recommended reading his book. I kept thinking to myself, “Hmmm, so many people are talking about this book” and I own it but have never read it. I finally read The Four Agreements in 2008 and thought what a simple concept. How did a book based on common sense help people? After reading and marinating The Four Agreements, I finally understood what Don Miguel Ruiz was talking about.
The Four Agreements:
1.) Be impeccable with your word
2.) Don’t take anything personally
3.) Don’t make assumptions
4.) Always do your best
Simple enough right? Now apply these agreements to your life. In my next inspiration post, I will write about how The Four Agreements helped me at work.
I read this book years ago…but I remember I loved how simple the 4 statements were. Thanks for the reminder on this!! so easy, right?!
Piper´s last [type] ..back from vacation-
This was the second book on my spiritual journey and is still one of my favourites (the first was Pema Chodron’s Things Fall Apart). Don Miguel Ruiz does a truly marvellous job of highlighting the concept of simple but not easy.
Nicola´s last [type] ..Stop it-
Yes Don Miguel’s book is such a simple and easy read. Have you read his other books? I really like the book, Mastery of Love. It really had me focus on loving myself and helping me in my relationships.
Oh you are so welcome, Piper!
[...] wrote a post a few weeks about The Four Agreements. I promised I would write about how I use The Four Agreements in the [...]