The Final Call

The Four agreements

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The ancient civilization of the Toltec were known throughout southern Mexico as a nation of artists and scientists who according to the book “The Four agreements,” by Don Miguel Ruiz, formed a society to explore and conserve the spiritual knowledge and practices of ancient ones. They congregated in an ancient city of pyramids outside Mexico City known as the place where “Man Becomes God.” This should be the goal, for all of the servants of God, to become one with the Father, like Christ said, in John, Chapter 10 verse 30 “I and the Father are one.”

Like most goals, there is a process. We first have the thought, then write it down and we work backward from the finished product to all the steps beforehand to accomplish the goal. For example, if I wanted to build a house, I would first envision the final product, what the house would look like, its location and how many rooms etc. Then I would write down all the necessary steps to see it to its fruition.  I would make a list of costs, contractors, materials, and a few other things, starting with the first step until I reached the end.

So how much time should we invest in being our very Best selves? What does becoming one with God look like? How can we become one with God if we aren’t whole and complete with ourselves? Most of us aren’t comfortable in our own skin. We walk around every day feeling insecure, beating ourselves up, constantly judging and blaming ourselves for mistakes long forgotten by most.  We become judge, jury, and prosecutor within our own minds. We hold ourselves back from reaching our full potential, and expect others to believe in us when we don’t even believe in ourselves.  If we are honest with ourselves we will admit that we haven’t been kind, or a good friend, not only to other people but to the most important person, ourselves.

The first agreement: Be impeccable with your word

“Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”

At some point in our lives, we have ended or fractured relationships because we didn’t keep our word. We lied, or said some hurtful words to others. Looking back over our lives, words that were said to us still affect us today. We have made decisions based off of what others have told us, negative seeds were planted in our minds, and have sprouted into our beliefs about others and ourselves. But when we use our words to help and build each other up, our relationships will improve.

The second agreement: 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.

How many times have you offended someone just because you were having a bad day? Has someone ever snapped, yelled or mistreated you, for no reason at all? Understand when people act this way, brush it off and keep moving. You can’t control the way people act towards you. You can only control your responses. It is their issue not yours.

The third agreement: 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 completely transform your life.”

We all know what happens when we assume (wink). How often have we jumped to conclusions based off little to no facts about someone and therefore harmed the relationship being built? Once unkind words are out there’s no taking them back. We should strive to always keep clear lines of communication open and understand it’s okay to express yourself. However, just do it in an appropriate and proper manner. How much drama can we save ourselves, if we take our emotions out of the situation, listen carefully and respond appropriately? Probably, a whole lot.

The fourth agreement: 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 circumstances, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.”

We all have those days where we feel like, just partially doing things. We drag in to work, don’t give an honest day’s work or put the bare minimum into relationships expecting the greatest return. We honestly don’t give it our best like we should. But, today, right now, even in small things, give it 100 percent and see how much greater the reward will be in the end. The self-accusing spirit always reminds us when we haven’t done our best. Listen to that voice within, the little god, who guides you to the right choices.

As Jesus Christ was firm in his belief of who he actually was, we as god fearing people can be the “I am” statements Jesus boldly claims:

I am the bread of life
I am the light of the world
I am the door
I am the good shepherd
I am the resurrection and the life
I am the way, the truth, and the life
I am the true vine

I challenge you to only think positive thoughts for one day. If a negative thought comes up, think about 10 more positive ones to cancel out that one negative. Go 24 hours without complaining. Write a list down of everything you are grateful for, practice smiling and see if your day changes. Then practice it for a week, and watch how your life changes just by focusing your attention toward something positive. If you encounter negative people, stop them in your tracks and say ‘get thee behind me Satan’. Never let anyone steal your joy. You have the power to change your life.

(Laila Muhammad is a Final Call production assistant, writer, and videographer based in Chicago. Follow her @liberatedvoices.blogspot.com, to purchase her paperback or eBook “Coffee makes you Black … so pour me some more,” go to http://www.lailamuhammad1.wordpress.com