Fireflies In The Garden Of Writing

I'm reading a book and it's changing my life. From the inside out. It would be more precise to say that I'm ready to change my life, and I'm allowing this lovely book to help me do so.

It's a Toltec wisdom book called The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by: Don Miguel Ruiz.

The four agreements are quite simple to remember and very difficult to put into practice. They are as follows: 1. Be impeccable with your word (your words to others and yourself) 2. Don't take it personally (just let it go) 3. Don't make assumptions (you can never be inside a situation, so ask questions - communicate and then let it go) and 4. Do your best (and recognize that your best is alive, it evolves and changes as you change day to day - depending if you're sick, sober or flowing with renewal).

I have always tried to do my best, but previously, I set unrealistic expectations at what my best was. It was a best that was deemed so by someone other than me - anyone, really. I was like the kid in the class waving their hand as though it was a cracked out hummingbird. Give me an answer, any answer, damn it.

I didn't trust myself to see my best, and so I would let anyone else point me in their direction. And, boy, let me tell you, people have no problem giving you a direction - even when they have no clue where it is going to lead you. I mean, how can they? It's my best, not theirs. But that's not their fault, I was the one stumbling down the wrong road of asking.

I now ask myself what my best is, what my dreams are and then I let it go. Now I struggle, a lot, with each of these agreements. But I start every day over. Each day I make the vow to follow the four agreements and become the feisty, red-headed warrioress (for me) that I am.

Nothing comes easy, but with practice it comes with reward. I'm living for the action now. Finding enjoyment in everything I do, flipping the script to read the happier foundation in my life. Because I am taking responsibility over myself and my future. And this, this my friends is a wonderful thing. And I'm so glad I get to share it with you.

Today's word is: verve


Fireflies in the garden
by: Robert Frost

Here come real stars to fill the upper skies,
And here on earth come emulating flies,
That though they never equal stars in size,
(And they were never really stars at heart)
Achieve at times a very star-like start.
Only, of course, they can't sustain the part.