Was sipping a glass of cabernet over a plate of mussels at Dario’s Brasserie recently when my server and I got to talking about living a better life. This young man mentioned reading the book with the above title written by Don Miguel Ruiz. Subtitled “A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, A Toltec Wisdom Book”. The agreements:
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-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.
I also picked up Ruiz’s “The Voice of Knowledge” a practical guide to inner peace. I had mentioned to my bartender friend that these works were reminiscent of Carlos Castaneda’s famed series that started with “The Teachings of Don Juan” in 1968. “A Separate Reality” in 1971, “Journey to Ixtlan” in 1972, and “Tales of Power” in 1974. They were required reading for seekers of my generation. Castaneda’s experiences with a Yaqui Shaman helped to shape my life, but I have drifted away from the core premise over time. I’m anxious to delve into these fresh pages and get myself centered once again. Life is good that way.
The cycle of Team Nebraska turns towards a strengthening women’s team. 2012 has been a good year thus far and it just got better with the addition of Rachel Carrizales. Aaron’s very talented younger sister is ready to join the Good Mates and makes a great addition. Rachel was a UNL studette that I’ve had my eye on since she graduated and it was a real pleasure to hear from her yesterday. She has quite the range boasting prs of 4:56 in the mile to 1:22:04 in the half marathon. She will make her Team Nebraska debut at this weekend’s Lincoln Half Marathon, Giddyup!
A Separate Reality meant living life as your own person, one being, being one, amid all. That sums me up pretty well even to this day.
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