by Elizabeth Ann Thompson: The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D. has been an important spiritual tool in my life since…
its publication in 1997.
I mainly used it in my personal life with my family and friends.
Since I spend so much time at work in corporate America, it occurred to me that it would be a valuable tool at work as well.
As a review here is a summary of the agreements:
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.DON’T TAKE 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.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.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.
I am thrilled to have a full time job in corporate America, but a corporation has people in it so The Four Agreements are key.
Here is one example that I recently used and I am sure you can apply others:
A colleague sent me an email on a Saturday to ask a question. Pre-applying The Four Agreements (we both work Monday through Friday but there is an expectation that emails are to be checked daily) the non-spiritual conspiracy theory paranoid Kiki would have assumed that this was a test to see if I would check my email on the weekend or at least answer an email from a VIP.
I did not make any assumptions (okay maybe at least not initially). Maybe instead of “taking it personally” I believe that I am “immune to the opinions and actions of others” and “what they say and do is a projection of their own reality”.
Perhaps the email was sent on a Saturday because that’s when it was thought of.
I am just saying, the book is great for home and work.
Peace and blessings.
