“Self-help” has become a popular motto in the last decade that has sparked thousands of books to emerge advising us on how to improve our lives economically, intellectually, and emotionally. Let’s face it; we can always use a little know-how or positive thinking from published professionals. But with all this “self-help” advice around, I can’t help ask myself: “when did living become so difficult?”

Self-help books can sometimes be stereotyped as corny psycho-babble books that cater only to middle aged women. However, self-help and self-improvement books suggest that there are loads of issues like self esteem, anger, anxiety, stress, time management, marriage, love, relationships, family, and happiness that we all deal with on a day-to-day basis. I, myself was always a little hesitant to pick up a “self-help” book because I was skeptical of the information, assuming it to be a little ridiculous and redundant. I was not impressed! Even the hype built up around Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret or Eckhart Tolle’s The Power of Now could not get me to pick up a copy.

All this changed when I was introduced to Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom. Having sold almost 4 million copies, been featured on Oprah, and been on the New York Times Bestsellers list for four years, this tiny little book packs quite a punch. Based on ancient Toltec wisdom, the book offers four agreements that are simple and can transform our lives into a new experience of effectiveness, balance and self-supporting behaviour.

The four agreements are:

1. BE IMPECCABLE WITH YOUR WORD
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. 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.

3. 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 can completely transform your life.

4. 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 circumstance, simply do your best and you will avoid self-judgement, self-abuse, and regret.

The following is a review written on Accomplishlife.com by Mark Machaalani which I truly agree with, “The agreements themselves may indeed seem basic and some what common knowledge, yet it is the way that Miguel energetically conveys to us the meanings behind these agreements, which is indeed outstanding. He is able to transform four basic concepts of life into a foundation on which we should build upon in search of happiness. It’s the how and why one should do these things that make The Four Agreements worth reading and remembering.”

The next time you find yourself at a bookstore, pick up a copy of Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, I promise it will change your perspective on self-help books, and on life.

Sabrina Giancioppi
Concordia University Student
Findsalonspa.com Blogger

Rigorously conducted research at the Institute of HeartMath shows that the heart receives and responds to intuitive information before the brain does. Their research shows that the heart first receives an intuitive signal then sends it to the brain, and lastly the body responds (the gut). This heart-brain system allows the heart to process information and make complex decisions independent of the brain and central nervous system. Their research also shows that the heart has access to a field of information not bound by space or time. Fascinating.  In my recent conversation with Dr. McCraty on Heart Beat he explained that the heart is our ” primary access point to our larger selves ” (also referred to as higher self/soul/spirit/ greater consciousness), known as our heart intelligence.  He went on to explain that  ” we perceive what we attend to” and made the crucial point that it is important to notice where our attention is going, suggesting that if we pay attention to our heart we will notice the intuitive signals it is receiving. When we pay attention to our heart  we will be able to connect with this heart intelligence that is available to each one of us.   How this month can you pay more attention to your heart and listen to its signals? What might you do to hear the intuitive messages being received in your heart?   This month you can start to take notice of your heart by taking the following steps:

1. First and most importantly acknowledge your heart as the access point for your unique own intelligence (beyond your mental intelligence) and knowing.

2. Put your hand on your heart and connect with your heart by placing your attention there.

3. Invite a feeling a positive emotion into your being, love or gratitude or appreciation (through a memory or thought of a person, animal, place or thing)

4. Feel the resonance of this heart vibration you are generating through this positive emotion and notice how it feels in your body and around your heart.

5. Take this state of being with you into your day for as long as it feels genuine and come back to this practice whenever you like.

Julie L. Cusmariu
Intuitive Consultant, Certified Life Coach, Creator & Host of Heart Beat internet radio
Using your intuition to live an inspired life
www.juliecusmariu.com
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/heart-beat
(514)849-5761

Tune in to Heart Beat each Wednesday at 4pm EDT or listen through the archives http://www.juliecusmariu.com/blog/radio-show-archives/ and listen to conversations with guests such as Bruce Lipton, Ph.D, Byron Katie, Dr. Marilyn Mandala Schlitz, Dr. Judith Orloff and more..

Want to connect to your intuition? Check out my new audio meditations for download