Thank you, Allan, for sharing your wisdom. I am honoured that someone of your stature would take the time to read my contribution and clarify the importance of the agreements. It is a fascinating read when you are interested in spirituality, metaphysics or comparative religions. The system is set up in a very simple way, without going into too much detail. There is much more behind the idea, but the book conveys the point while remaining accessible. Even though this article does not deal with spirituality, we need to understand the general principles that have been introduced to actually apply them. If you follow the previous three agreements, you will give the best of yourself. Strive to always do your best and make sure you continue to do whatever is necessary to succeed. It‘s easy to take shortcuts, but most shortcuts that aren‘t finished cost more in the end than they save. Ruiz defines an “agreement” as a code of understanding and communication. For example, language is a chord.
Those who speak English agree that the word “cat” refers to the small furry mammal with a long tail and attitude. Just as we had no choice but to use the word “cat,” we don‘t have much choice in the other agreements that have been passed on to us by our culture or family. Engaging in these four agreements will be the hardest thing we have ever done. As Ruiz warns: “Almost all of our personal power is invested in respecting the agreements we have with ourselves. This is because our agreements are actually like a strong addiction. We are addicted to being the same as we are. We are addicted to anger, jealousy and self-pity” (110). But if we work hard, practice regularly, and constantly focus on love and forgiveness, we will transform into our true self: powerful, loving, free. I interpreted “is” as a life in the present moment and “was” represented past behaviors. Change of temporal form probably intentionally.
The best way to develop knowledge is to bypass other assessments and read the material and develop one‘s own knowledge. As I also replay topics in the reference, I think we all receive something different from each book, based on completely different emotional reactions, based on observations from a group that read all four chords at the same time. There were about fifty of them, and I recommended to a brother and sister who had childhood trauma. He read the first chapters in tears, but he understood the healing force itself. The first one only annoyed me, but I understood that he drew why we should not believe like that. Be blameless with your word. Don‘t take anything personally. Don‘t make assumptions.
Always do your best. Dear light and truth. We can use the fourth chord, Do Your Best, to encourage us to aspire positively. But this agreement also recognizes that “our best” varies from moment to moment, depending on our circumstances and mental state. Recognition of this fact leads to the realization that everything we are doing right now is of our best, and this awareness can prevent us from flogging ourselves if we are not up to an unreasonable standard of perfection. The four agreements aim to ensure that your agreements are not broken because of you and that you are attentive to what you say and do.