The Four Agreements
My husband has been attending a class at our church the past few weeks and I was given a bookmark which I am using in my monthly Grapevine. Each time I look at this bookmark I am reminded of our program and all the things that it stands for and that I have learned through the years. This class is called the Four Agreements and they are this.
1. Be Impeccable with your words. Hmm, am I always? Do I think and pause before I snap back with a sarcastic comment. Not always I am afraid, but looking at this bookmark has certainly made me more aware.
2. Don’t Take Anything Personally. This I find very hard to do Along with the bookmark I was given a little card that on one side says “It’s ALL about me” and on the other side ” It’s NOT about me”. I keep this in front of me at the computer with the Not about me facing me at all times It is a constant reminder that I am not the center of the universe.
3. Don’t Make Assumptions. You know the old saying about assumptions. It makes an a** out of you and me. I don’t know about you but I am always assuming that I know what is best for those around me, especially those I love and are close to me. I also assume that I know what you want from me and what you expect without a word being said. I think I am a mind reader and that those who love me can read my mind automatically and know what it is that I want from them.
4. Always Do Your Best. I try – I do. I am very hard on myself in this regard because of my age and my health the “best” I can do today is a lot less than that which I could do a few years ago. I don’t know why I expect to be superwoman. I have more tolerance for others than I do for myself in this regard. I would no more expect someone I sponsor after having knee surgery to be up on a ladder sorting out top shelves of cupboards, but I put that expectation on myself. I have to constantly remind myself that I am not God and that this gift of sobriety that he has given me is precious and that God does not expect me to be superhuman. He just expects me to do my best.
I am glad that I was afforded the benefit of these gifts as a result of my husband attending this class and I hope that they will give you something to talk about in the coming week. If not, please just talk about whatever you need to in order to benefit your journey. Thanks for being here.