New Year's Revolution - Option 1

It's that time of year again, the beginning. It's the time when we all dig deep into ourselves and think of the most irritating habit that we have, and then tell everyone around us that we are going to quit doing it, knowing that we have the full intention of breaking our "resolution" probably before the end of this first month.
So tonight, since I am feeling like a true jackanapes (see blog description for non-Webster definition) I am going to start a New Year's Revolution. This means that I will tell you what you will do this year. That way if you break it, you have told no one, and therefore you won't feel like a loser and stop trying. Instead you will realize that failure is just one step in enlightenment, pick up where you left off and try again.
Don Miguel Ruiz (I think that's his name) wrote a book called The Four Agreements and that's where I got my idea. It's based on Toltec wisdom and I believe much more viable than anything religious because it allows for fault. If you veer off the path of enlightment based on wisdom you just dust yourself off and try again, if you veer off the path of religiousness... well... see ya in hell buddy. No but seriously, with religion you must always answer to a higher power. I think this makes change a little more intimidating, and therefore harder to accomplish. When searching for wisdom the only person that you have to answer to is yourself and although we are our own worst critics, we have the ability to push ourselves for more.

The Four Agreements:
1. Be Impeccable With Your Word:
How many times have you said something and in the next instant wished you could take it back? I try to think about how many times a day I speak without fully thinking about what I am going to say and it terrifies me. If you speak only what you mean you will less often hurt people's feelings, and put yourself in less ackward positions. It is easier to not upset someone than it is to try and take back hurt feelings.
2. Don't Take Things Personally:
I know this is a hard one for a lot of people, especially me. Here's the deal, when people say things to you, regardless of the presentation, it really has nothing to do with you. It has to do with how they see the world, how they live their life, and how they view their own reality. This does not mean, however, that you should just ignore what people say to you. As Thich Nhat Hahn explains, you can learn something about yourself from every intereaction you have, whether the person was nice, or mean about it. What it means is, when you start to feel a negative reaction to something someone has said, acknowledge that feeling by acknowledging that their comment was based on their own reality and had nothing to do with you. Once you start doing this you will notice that your feelings are hurt less and less because you understand that nothing a person says to you changes who you are, and that their own views are different than your own.
3. Don't Make Assumptions:
Easier said than done!!! In order to do this you must communicate you needs, your thoughts and your concerns at every step. It takes practice I am sure, but if you are open about your needs you will have less misunderstanding and less drama.
4. Always Do Your Best:
Come on guys!!! Life is awesome, and who knows if we have anymore goes at it, so lets get off our asses and make this one worth living!!!!