Agreeing With Some Life-Changing Principles

by Ross A. Aalgaard, MSW, LGSW

612.332.7743 ext. 285
raalgaard@wpc-mpls.org

I have a desire to share with you an overview of The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. A number of my clients have appreciated these four principles enough, that I think they may be helpful to others. I have seen these four principles change lives. The agreements have allowed individuals to experience healing within as they develop a healthy, balanced level of self-worth. They are practical and simple, but can be very difficult to apply. I would like to encourage you to try to apply them as we enter into the season of Spring. See how they can affect you.

Agreement One: Be impeccable with your word.

• Speak with integrity.


• Say only what you mean.


• Avoid using your word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others.


• Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Agreement Two: 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 opinion and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

Agreement Three: 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.

Agreement Four: 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.

If you want to learn more about Don Miguel Ruiz's Four Agreements, pick up his book. It is a quick read that can impact you for a lifetime.