One Path to Personal Freedom and Happiness

Years ago, a friend mentioned "The Four Agreements" as a path to spiritual growth. I, being one who does not easily buy into popular self-help guides, wrote it off as another trite self-help guide to co-opting Native American spirituality.

I recently revisited the four agreements and discovered that on my own, I had actually adopted them over the years and discovered a path to both personal freedom and happiness. Many of you who knew me in my previous practice--True Massage & Wellness--know that the name of my practice did not come form some idea that my massage was the only "True Massage", but from a desire to support my own--and others'--being in a place of authenticity and personal truth. Of being "True". It has been a lifelong path and my calling, really.

Simply put, the following Four Agreements are simple instructions to live more authentically and to cultivate more compassion and love around you. They can be rephrased in many ways, but ultimately, they are pretty straightforward.

Where do these fit into your life?

• 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.