The Four Agreements

So many fb posts about the Supreme Court decision, and so many are divisive. I posted the following as a reply to one on a friend's page.

There are rude, ill-informed, ignorant, and malevolent people in the world. Just about everyone is stereotyped and/or discriminated against in some way. I don’t have to agree with any of them, nor do I have to try and silence them. Even they are entitled to their opinion. All I can do is improve myself. I read “The Four Agreements,” and it’s helping me learn to do just that. http://www.toltecspirit.com/

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.

2. 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.

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.

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.

Not everyone can or will try to improve their mean-spiritedness. It’s sad for them that they have such a narrow view of humanity. I don’t have to like their attitude. I don’t have to befriend them. I don’t have to agree with them. I don’t have to fight with them or make them agree with me. I don’t have to condemn them or even judge them. Let’s each begin improving ourselves and our outlook on life. I think it’s all we can do.