Curve Balls & The 4 Agreements

Dear Darlings,
You may have noticed I’ve been semi “off the grid”  for the last a couple of weeks. With the holidays, life always gets busy, but for some reason this Christmas was even crazier. I don’t know about you, but over the last several months, life has thrown me a couple of curve balls.  Actually, I think the exact number is 9, but who’s counting? The interesting thing about last year is that with changes, loss, transition and upset there have also been great big blessings, extraordinary successes, grand epiphanies and personal growth. If I’ve learned anything this year it’s that life is messy, the shit hits the fan sometimes, and people die. I’ve also learned that your real friends come through for you, your family will stand by you, and there can be beauty in chaos. One more thing…it’s okay to ask for help.  Also, that Dinah Washington songs rings through my head (courtesy of my friend Lauren)…what a difference a day made, 24 little hours. How true is that?

A couple of days ago, my old friend Lisa sent me “The Four Agreements”.  She knows me well and seems to always say the right thing at the right moment. She also tells me what I NEED to hear. Thanks Lis! I love these principles–they just make sense. Funny thing is, my husband read this book several months ago and loved it so much, he purchased multiple copies to lend out to friends.  Guess who did NOT read it?  Yeah..ahem..guess the student wasn’t ready.

Seems like NOW is the right time to start working on these…and, oh yeah, Happy New Year!

NN

PS And you came here for a crock pot recipe– HA!

The Four Agreements are:

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.