8 Nuggets of Wisdom from the Four Agreements by Don Ruiz

Last Updated on October 23, 2024 by The Unbounded Thinker

In his book, The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, Don Ruiz shares advice that will help you find freedom. The book is enlightening, and all individuals in search of true happiness should read it.

Here are seven nuggets of wisdom from the book.

1. We Always Domesticate Our Children

According to Don Ruiz, we domesticate our children by punishing them when they go against our rules and rewarding them when they obey us. They then grow up with a belief and behavioral system that was forced upon them.

2. Our Belief System Guides Our Thoughts And Actions

We all have a set of beliefs that guide our thoughts and actions. These beliefs determine whether we’ll be positive or negative thinkers, and what we’ll do with our lives.

3. Why Your Beliefs Guide You

Your beliefs guide you because you believe they are true. You completely trust them, allowing them to determine your thoughts, decisions, and actions.

4. Our Biggest Fear is to Be Authentic

We avoid showing the world our true nature because our biggest fear is to be ourselves. Little do we know that most people who achieve personal freedom and true success are authentic. They never fear expressing who they truly are.

5. Be Careful With Your Word

You must be careful with your word because it influences other people’s actions and attitudes. Your friend can start loving herself passionately if you constantly tell her that she is a wonderful being. Conversely, the same friend can dislike herself if you constantly tell her that she’s an ugly loser.

6. Don’t Take Things Personally

Taking things people say personally shows that you agree with what they say. Stop agreeing with everything people say about you because whatever people say comes from their personal viewpoint. It’s all about them, and not you.

Taking things personally will waste your time and energy because you’ll keep thinking why some people said some things about you, and how you’ll get back at them.

7. Stop Making Assumptions

Most of us make assumptions that eventually hurt us. For instance, we love making assumptions about our friends, spouses, and relatives. We assume they know what hurts and what doesn’t hurt us, and we get offended when they do something that hurts us.

8. Always Do Your Best

Do your best because by doing so you’ll avoid guilt and regret as you’ll love yourself, and you’ll be fruitful. Don Ruiz defines doing your best as enjoying the action you take without expecting rewards. You, therefore, know that you are doing your best when you are working while not thinking about payday.