A wild week in the USA

It was a wild week in the United States. Take your pick of controversial topics that, it seems, are on the verge of splitting this nation in two.

Maybe that is a hyperbolic opening to this week’s column, but if my Facebook page is any indication of the statement, maybe not. I will not weigh in on what I think about the hot topics that went down last week as it would only serve to alienate half of you in the end. I will say that my “Facebook Friends” are made up of folks from dozens of different states, races, religions and political ideals. While everyone’s opinion is valid, at certain point this weekend I simply stopped checking Facebook as I was tired of all the back and forth bickering and name-calling. The website is usually how I keep in contact with what the people I know were up to. On Sunday afternoon, I no longer cared what they were up to.

Instead of spouting off on where I stand on last week’s controversies, I will attempt to do something positive instead. The following text is taken from a book titled The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom written by Don Miguel Ruiz in 1997. What follows are four principles to practice in hopes of spreading more love and happiness in one’s life. Take from it what you will. If any of what follows offends you, my apologies.

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.

Thanks for reading and aloha.