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About five years ago my son introduced me to the author don Miquel Ruiz. It has become one of the most important books in my library. I now read four pages every morning from “The Four Agreements”.
Since I do better when I tell myself what to do than when someone else tells me what to do, I wrote “The Four Affirmations” based on The Four Agreements. I do not mean to imply that you do not do these now, I simply want to share what works for me. I did get permission from the publisher to use these.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
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.

If you would like to have a copy of “Gary’s Koping Kit”, just ask. I would like to use the postal service, so I will need your mailing address. Happy New Year, may 2018 be the best year ever for you and your family.

Live from Here with Chris Thile this week is a look back on a few highlights from the past year while the gang tunes up for the first live broadcast of 2018 on January 6th. This week is a jam-packed mix, with music from Chris Stapleton, Rachael Price and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Fiona Apple, Randy Newman, Bon Iver, Hilary Hahn, Nickel Creek, Regina Spektor, and more, along with visits from comics Nick Offerman, Alice Wetterlund, and Tom Papa. Plus: a reading from George Saunders’ Lincoln in the Bardo with the resident acting company, a look at First Drafts of Famous Songs, a little Bach from Punch Brothers and Music, and an edition of the game show Don’t Talk. All that and even more, as we wrap up 2017. Tune in on your local public radio station.

“All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another.” Anatole France (1844-1924)