4 + 4 Agreements

Took a while for my ship to crash. Along the way I would come across different sources of inspiration to help keep it flying a bit longer, but in the end I knew she was too badly damaged and needed to go down. What I didn't know at the time was that these bits of inspiration were actually laying the groundwork for a future path that I was to follow. An honorable path.

Aside from films and action heroes, literature also played a strong role in the definition of the self. Robert Pirsig's "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" was one such tome that gave me pause, as did Dan Millman's "Way of the Peaceful Warrior". While I couldn't fully live their words and meanings at the time because of my own delusions, enough of the material seeped through my self constructed walls to help me emerge a better soul from the fiery wreckage of my crash.

Another such literary piece would be the more recent "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz. New Age nonsense aside, mister Ruiz listed four practical ways (or agreements) in which one can live a more enlightened life. You can find those agreements here:

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Don_Miguel_Ruiz

Upon my return to this world, I have since adopted Ruiz's four agreements into my life, and they certainly have helped me see the world free from any constructed walls that had previously blocked my view.

But why stop there? These four are a good starting point, but there are other 'agreements' of mine that help to keep my ship flying higher and farther than ever. Here are four Honor Knight agreements which I'd like to contribute to the mix:

5. MAINTAIN A SENSE OF HUMOR
Life is funny. Seriously. Laughter heals, and you should be laughing every moment that you can. My sense of humor (one of the few genuine gifts from my mother) has kept me sane even in the darkest of times. Laughter generates a lot of positive energy, and it's contagious (in a good way), so spread it around. Once you lose your sense of humor, you lose your perspective on what this life truly has to offer. Find the funny.

6. BE CHILDLIKE
This is not to be confused with 'childish', which acting like this would be counterproductive to your self definition. To be childlike like simply means to maintain a wonderment about all that surrounds you in this life. When you were a kid, even the simplest of things were thought to be 'cool', and you know what? They still are. Falling leaves, hermit crabs, the setting sun, and ocean waves never get old no matter how often you experience them. The 'Verse is still a pretty amazing place, regardless of age. Find the 'cool stuff'.

7. KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS
Dirty Harry Callahan taught me this one from "Magnum Force" when he said, "A man's got to know his limitations." How true. To live outside the walls you must know the limits of your own soul, and how best to self define in this world. You may have the passion to be a heart surgeon, but if you can't stand the sight of blood, you may want to rethink your career choice, regardless of how much it means to you. The options may be limitless, but you aren't. Find your balance and you'll find your place.

8. HAVE FUN!
Please lighten up. Just because you're older, you've been through hell, you've had your heart broken, doesn't mean you can't (or shouldn't) still have a great time in this 'Verse. Go out and play. Often. Have fun in all that you do. Only one time around in this life, so don't be a sourpuss. We have enough of those. Find the fun.

So there you have it, four extra agreements to hopefully add balance to your soul. Maybe you'll find value in them for your own life, or maybe you'll follow your own agreements. Please feel free to add to the list.

It's a big 'Verse out there...