Best Vibes

As we go through the current corona virus challenge, we want to reach out and acknowledge that most of us have probably never experienced anything like what we are facing, reading and seeing. During times of forced change one might experience feelings of powerlessness, and to focus requires more effort.  

I would like to revisit, Don Miguel Ruiz 4^th Agreement: Always do your best.

Our wish is that you focus your attention on what you can do, and then to do your best.By doing your best, you can lessen the feeling of powerlessness as in doing we find meaning, and experience a sense of control. In finding meaning and experiencing a sense of control we release endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals produced naturally by the nervous system to cope with pain or stress. They are often called “feel-good” chemicals because they can act as a pain reliever and happiness booster.

A summary of the Four Agreements:

• First Agreement: Be impeccable with your word
• Second Agreement: Don’t take anything personally
• Third Agreement: Don’t make assumptions
• Fourth Agreement: Always do your best

Don Miguel Ruiz defines this Fourth Agreement as:

1. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

2. Your best is going to change from moment to moment (it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to unhealthy).

If you take only the first part of the definition – simply do your best under any circumstance – we put an enormous burden on our shoulders. If you have the tendency to be a perfectionist, you might zoom into this part of the agreement and use it as a great excuse to feed your perfectionism.If you have the tendency to be a workaholic, you would might zoom into this part of the agreement and use it as a great excuse to keep working and working and working.

Given the current circumstance, I think we have to keep the second part of the definition in mind– our best is going to change from moment to moment. The two parts of the definition “Always do your best” are like the 2 sides of a coin. They exist together.

Always do your best is the agreement that everybody can do. Your best is, in fact, the only thing you can do. And the best you can do doesn’t mean that sometimes you give 80 percent and other times you just give 20 percent. You’re always giving 100 percent — that’s always your intention — it’s just that your best is always changing. From one moment to the next, you are never the same. We are in the midst of change, and our best will change from this moment to the next. Your best will depend on whether you are feeling physically tired or refreshed. Your best will depend on how you are feeling emotionally. Also allow and view other‘s actions as their best. If you believe that they are not doing their best, we encourage you to engage in a respectful and sincere conversation.

Action steps:

• Stop
• Breathe
• Do your best, be kind and gentle with yourself.
• Boost Endorphins by:
  • Exercise
  • Dark chocolate
  • Laughing