“When things go wrong as they sometimes will” is the start of a poem that I will share with you once again.

So, how do we move forward in our lives when things are really tough. Last year I suggested that we might want to look at The Four Agreements and now I find that there is now a fifth agreement that has been put forth. These first four agreements are really especially significant since they are so simple and easy to put into action.

First off, let’s revisit the ways that we can respond to our world.

The Four Agreements from Don Miguel Ruiz:

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.

There is a challenge here. Give these four agreements a try for a day or a week in the office or at your kid’s Little League game. If you listen to yourself life can get better!

5. Be Skeptical, But Learn to Listen.

Don Miguel Ruiz, the author, says that “the result of practicing the fifth agreement is the complete acceptance of yourself just the way you are, and the complete acceptance of everybody else just the way they are. The reward is your eternal happiness.”

Nancy Colasurdo, a Life Coach, had a good take on this agreement. “Wherever you go around the world, you will hear all kinds of opinions and stories from other people. You will find great storytellers wanting to tell you what you should do with your life: “You should do this, you should do that, you should do whatever.” Don’t believe them. Be skeptical but learn to listen and then make your choices. Be responsible for every choice you make in your life. This is your life; it’s nobody else’s life, and you will find that it’s nobody else’s business what you do with your life.”

Don Miguel Ruiz and his Toltec Teaching can be viewed by clicking here for his website.

Trust in yourself and don’t give up.

Good Cheer!