Exceptions – THE RULE – and The Four Agreements
It is interesting how we focus on the rule and not the exception. Often it is the exception that will teach us the most. That is what Appreciative Inquiry is about for me. It is a search for the exceptions to the overwehlming focus on teh negative. When you ask “Where is this solved?” you get new information and new approaches. I have been asking myself this week…”When is life NOT a chore?” “When I am happy and worry free?” Myself and I are talking about focusing our attention on the positive in our life and creating more of that. …. I think it is working!!!!
One exception for me is when I read old blogs and think … “that is something I would enjoy reading if I were someone else.” That encourages me to keep going, to write and write until something profound finds its way on to the page. I like to write and to share my thoughts on the screen or in my journal. For me it is a comfortable way to process and move from the past to the future with deliberate intent to do my best.
I am reminded of the Four Agreements (RUIZ) , some of which I will reframe here. Always do your best: I think doing your best is all you can ever expect of yourself. Dutiful 1, 2 and 6 BEACHs are often hard on themselves and others. As long as you have been conscious and deliberate in your attempts to arrive at what ever destination or dream you are chasing then you can look yourself in the mirror and smile.
Be impeccable with your word – To me that means “Say what you mean and mean what you say.” It is the beuatiful combination and balance of the Gentle and HOnest pieces int eh GHOST protocol. If you are only gentle and not honest you are not impeccable. If you are honest and not genlte you are not impeccable. Be impeccable with your word.
Check Assumptions – If you have a “leemer” – which is the name for he nagging instinct that tells you that something is not right before you know that somethings not right – if you have a “leemer” then check it out. Ask!
Get Curious – It is not about you – that is my version of what Ruiz identifies as “Don’t take anything personally”. In my quest for postiive reframes I have some to understand the intention of that Agreement is to be emotionally mature – to detach with out disengaging.
The rule is be good to yourself and treat others the way they would like to be treated. It is often referred to as the platinum rule. We have accepted it as one of the PULSE Rules. The four agreements are also congruent with PULSE thinking, doing and feeling. They provide another foundation for this appreciative work. Look for what works and do more of that…… that’s the rule.
