Gary’s Koping Kit
The Four Agreements Affirmations
From the book The Four Agreements copyright 1997, Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D. Reprinted by permission of Amber-Allen Publishing, Inc, San Rafael, California www.amberallen.com All rights reserved.
I will be impeccable with my word. I will speak with integrity. I will say only what I mean and avoid using the word to speak against myself or to gossip about others. I will use the power of my word in the direction of truth and love.
I will not take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of me. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When I am immune to the opinions and actions of others, I won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
I will not make assumptions. I will find the courage to ask questions and to express what I really want. I will communicate with others as clearly as I can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With this one agreement, I can completely transform my life.
I will always do my best. My best is going to change from moment to moment. It will be different when I am healthy as opposed to when I am sick. Under any circumstance, I will simply do my best and, as a result, I will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
Note: As part of my daily meditation, every morning I read four pages of the book The Four Agreements – a Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. By following this regimen, I read the book through eight times each year.
Notes from `Effective Living Seminar’ – April 1977
The reasons for mistakes on our part are due to either lack of data or the negative habit patterns that we have formed. If we are interested in inner healing, we need to red-tag all negative habit patterns.
The formula for spiritual and personal growth that was taught at this seminar was based on the idea that we need to instill six basic affirmations into our subconscious. These six basic affirmations are designed to override the problem belief system by: 1. Increasing our self-concept. 2. Stopping destructive self-criticism. 3. Developing superior or excellent human relationships. 4. Increasing our ability to relax. 5. Increasing our own self-determination. 6. and finally, Taking responsibility.
Affirmations are “stating a future goal in the present tense.”
The six basic affirmations are as follows:
I am loved; therefore, I like myself, unconditionally as I was created. (Repeat five times.)
I never devalue myself with destructive self-criticism. (Envision yourself doing something that you are very proud of.)
I see love in others and have warm regard for all persons at all times. (Envision yourself doing something nice for somebody else.)
I am easily able to relax and with every affirmation I become physically and mentally healthier. (Envision yourself doing something relaxing.)
I am completely self-determined, inner directed by the spirit of love and allow others the same privilege. (Repeat five times.)
I accept total responsibility for the consequences of my actions and reactions. (Repeat five times.)
It is possible to add up to ten more affirmations after the basic six. Some suggestions are: “I especially love and enjoy weighing…”(fill in goal weight.) “I especially love and enjoy working on…” (fill in a project that you have been avoiding.)
Credits: Sister Ten-Tie Saniel and Sister Gloria of the Cenacle Retreat Center in Wayzata, Minnesota presented the seminar Effective Living in April of 1977. These are from the notes I took at that seminar. John K. Boyle and his `Omega Seminar’ were credited as the source.
JUST FOR TODAY (adapted from Al-Anon credo by Pauline Phillips)
JUST FOR TODAY: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase them away and fill it with sunshine.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things I can correct and accept those I cannot.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I’ll not speak ill of others. I will improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I’m a smoker, I’ll quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully, if only just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch and take a brisk walk, even if it’s only around the block.
JUST FOR TODAY: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions.
SERENITY AFFIRMATION
I claim serenity to accept the things that I cannot change; courage to change the things that I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time.
Accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking this world as it is, not as I would have it.
Trusting that all things will be made right if I do my best, that I may be reasonably happy.
Based on the Serenity Prayer authored by Reinhold Niebuhr (1892 – 1971)
