How well are you staying grounded during these uncertain and challenging times?
What do you need to feel more centered and focused?
In this Metaview, I offer wise words of wisdom from a favorite author that always help me refocus when I find the world pulling me off. I was reminded of them after a client inspired me with a great meme during our work together.
She declared: ”I need to be brilliant with the basics!”
For me, these wise words from The Four Agreements, a book of Toltec wisdom written by Don Miguel Ruiz, are among the best to help us know how to be “brilliant with the basics.”
1) Be Impeccable With Your Word.
When we feel anxious, we can be tempted to say or write things that are not helpful. It’s so important to keep our words measured, clean, and above board. My mum always used to tell me: “If you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.” I’m holding fast to that wisdom!
2) Don’t Take Anything Personally
Remember that much of the time what people say or write is a reflection of their own experience and worldview, and may in the end have nothing to do with you or your reality. When you hear or read difficult things, reflect and decide on how much relevance you want to give them. The shield of not taking anything personally is important to hold as much as you can these days!
3) Don’t Make Assumptions
This is so tempting, especially when we feel vulnerable, out of control, and disempowered. Remember that people, and their “truth,” are often far more nuanced and complex than their actions and words may make it seem. Be willing to look a little deeper and test their validity. It may help soften the fear.
4) Always Do Your Best
Don Miguel writes: “Under any circumstance, always do your best, no more and no less. If you have done your best and your inner Judge tries to judge you, you’ve got the answer: ‘I did my best.’ There are no regrets.” In the end, doing our best is the best we can do!! Don Miquel suggests that this agreement truly has the power to set you free.
When my client got clear that she wanted to center herself and connect again with her brilliance, we worked with themes that reflected these four agreements, which were:
Being in personal integrity (Agreement #1)
Setting healthy boundaries (Agreement #2)
Discerning what’s true and valid for her (Agreement #3)
Honoring and taking responsibility for her own standards of excellence (Agreement #4)
In devising her plan, we resisted the temptation to list her like-to-haves.
And we stayed far away from her SHOULD-haves! None of that!
We talked about her must-haves and need-to-haves to be empowered and feel brilliant again.
Re-connecting with her basics was very energizing for her!
And she ended the session feeling more grounded, centered, and focused.
How can the wisdom of Don Miguel be helpful to you in these times?
What opportunities do you have to be more brilliant with your basics?
To come back to your center?
Right now, can you jot down three?
For each, what is a change in mindset, or action you can take, to shine a little brighter with each?
I hope The Four Agreements can support and inspire you as you find ways to stay grounded and strong in the weeks and months ahead.
Yours on the journey,
Martha
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