Practice the Four Agreements: Be impeccable with my word/ Don't take anything personally/ Don't make assumptions/ Always do my best

Re-read the book for inspiration

had a lot to say about the first agreement, too. Gil Fronsdal’s Dharma talk entitled “Solitude” includes a wonderful discussion about the power of speech, and the importance of mastering wise speech and good listening. I listened to it last night and again this morning. Good stuff for practice.

It’s funny—I do not enjoy his books, but I love the Four Agreements! (In fact, I once said that the best part about these books is the inside flap of the cover, where the Four Agreements are listed! I could rip that off and throw out the rest!)

My husband and I were at the store, and we ran into one of his co-workers. She obviously avoided us and he was saying: “See there are some people there that don’t like me and this helps prove that.”

Now I have met this lady in the past and she was very nice. So I thought about the four agreements and I mentioned that he shouldn’t assume she doesn’t like him. (agreement #3) So we ran into her in another aisle and she was very happy to see us. Why did she avoid us before? Because my husband had just cut all his long hair off and she recognized me and she thought I was out with another man cheating on my husband and didn’t want to get involved! (he really does look different)

So we all had a very nice discussion and yes she really does like him (which of course is why she was upset thinking I was cheating on him). And it was good cause he was able to talk about some work-related things that were useful to him.

So he assumed she didn’t like him and she assumed I was cheating on him and it could have become a very big mess, all based on assumptions!

So more proof that I will keep studying and applying these positive principals in my life.

Oh, and people can come up to me and actually insult me, and it doesn’t even bother me one tiny bit today because I know Not to Take Anything Personally (rule #2). I remain serene in chaos. This book is a miracle!

but I didn’t like it at all, wasn’t the same spot-on advice. I thought I would just continue this goal with that book, but I think I’ll just keep studying this one instead.

Maybe in a couple of years I’ll like the other book, that sort of thing does happen, but for now it’s back on the shelf.

I have been reading this book everyday. I also found a tiny little paraphrased copy that I carry in my purse and study during little breaks.

The more I study this, the more sense it makes and the easier it is to do. I observe the parasite in my mind, and how it colors my thoughts and interactions. I don’t want this to be me. I am succeeding in being more impeccable with my word, I don’t gossip, blurt, give advice, and I’m making a a great effort to do what I will say I do.

I am also taking things a lot less personally, and since I shut up and listen more, I can see more clearly where everything is not about me with other people. In doing my best, I find myself worried less about what they think of me anyway.

And I have been making fewer assumptions, I ask for clarity in my interactions with others. That helps.

I will now move onto other areas of doing my best, which is why I moved FlyLady to the top of my goals list. This is a big key, I know. And I’m doing my best by returning calls and emails also, and being gracious on a regular basis.

I am delighted with my progress here and I think this will be a goal marked done soon, and then further notes and corrections will be to private list.

One Babystep at a time, Peace is mine in 2009!

involves being impeccable with myself.

I am still doing some work for my old boss (the one who left me high and dry but still needs me), and it irks me somewhat. I like the idea of some extra income, and wanted to ensure a good reference so carried on, but he has now been cheeky enough to cut the rate of pay and now that I have a proper job starting it needs to stop. I had already planned to stop next month but I just need to get through these next few projects. But then. I really need to stop. Being impeccable with my word means doing what I know is right for me.

I have seen recently where I got into trouble with someone because I made assumptions because I thought they believed something I did. Now I look back and I can see the disconnect. The book helped show me that.

I am also trying not to use my word against me. I notice a lot of my goals here relate to that: Calling people back, Be gracious, etc. And of course that involves doing my best.

So I feel like I’m making good progress here, I read the book every day, and it is sinking in.

I have been reading a section a day and pondering on it, and applying it as well as I can.

This seems like simple things to do, but in my line of work…lets hope i can do it. I am in the military. I know we PREACH this stuff and always push the younger folks to do this, I guess we will see how it works when I am concentrating on this at work. I will write this down and put it in my wallet to see how well I do everyday. I will ask myself those questions posted down further, I think they are good questions to ask every day