It is mid-August and the season of change is coming upon us. I am in between major writing projects, having completed one and mailed it off, and about to begin both a 9 week course study and concentration upon another project that has long sat in the “wings.”
Tom is on a hearty path to recovery from back surgery and together, we are both grateful for his freedom from pain for the first time in a long time. We are again creating visions of more activities where he can endure walking and actually enjoy it.
The school year is returning once again for my grandchildren and my daughter, the teacher. The green leaves of August will give way to the colorful display of a Michigan autumn in September and October. They follow their simple steps to change without effort, it seems.
I think about the changes I want to make in the last quarter of the year. Some are somewhat simple, others will require being clear about my intention and being passionate and faithful to my commitment to achieve them and pursue them by consistent action, rather than occasional spurts!
It seems “agreement” comes easily to nature when it comes to changes. For me, a very powerful and telling bible phrase states: “For whenever two or more of you are gathered in my name and agree upon anything, it shall be established for you.” (paraphrased) The power of prayer, through a small group, a global chain, a telephone line, or even down to two, as the scripture says, has proven tremendously powerful in our lives. Wonderful manifestations of love and healing, beyond our own power alone, are a history line in our family life.
Lately, I’ve been reading and meditating and thinking about the ideas in “The Four Agreements”, by Don Miguel Ruiz — a Toltec Wisdom Book and A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. I am examining my willingness to agree with and practice the Four Agreements in my life. I think I am pretty willing and practice will make (nearly) perfect.
Today, I will just share the ideas behind the First Agreement:
Be Impeccable with Your Word. This one may be the most difficult one to honor, though it sounds so simple. It is very, very powerful. Your word is the power to create. Your word is the gift that comes directly from God.
In St. John’s Gospel , we read, “In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God.” Through your word comes your creative power and by your word you manifest what is your life. Regardless of what language you speak, your intention manifests through this word.
Your word is a force; it is the power you have to express and communicate. The word is the most powerful tool you have as a human. But like a sword of two edges, your word can create the most beautiful dream or your word can destroy everything around you.
Being impeccable is not using your word against yourself. Being impeccable with your word means using your energy in the direction of truth and love. That is the correct use of your energy.
The power of the word can be completely misused. We can use it against ourselves, plan revenge with it, create havoc in our world with it. By misusing our word and not being impeccable with it, we can pull each other down and cause great states of confusion, fear and distrust.
When you are impeccable with your word, you feel good; you feel happy and at peace. Use the word to share your love. Use the word to break all those teeny, tiny agreements that made you suffer. Words that did not come from truth.
Thousands of years ago, the Toltecs were known throughout Southern Mexico as “women and men” of knowledge. Anthropologists have spoken of them as a nation or a race, but , in fact, the Toltec were scientists and artists who formed a society to explore and preserve the spiritual knowledge and practices of the ancients ones.
It is not a religion, yet it honors all the spiritual masters who have taught on earth. It is most accurately described as a way of life, with easy accessibility to happiness and love.
NEXT UP: The Second Agreement. Don’t take anything personally.
Napkinwriter 