I just reread your post. It’s the middle of the night, but I was drawn to it. Even though I’ve read the Four Agreements, I appreciate your explanation and clarification of it.

I’ve resolved to make these agreements with myself, especially #2 and #3. Looking out for our own best interests and asking for what we want are the way to happiness and joy.

I, too, have been able to enjoy my life more by not following traditions or as Wayne Dyer calls it, participating in tribal rituals.

I want to reach the point of absolutely no gossiping. I’ve made tremendous progress over the years, but have not gotten to complete eradication.

Thanks for responding to my first comment. It means a lot to me.

I enjoyed the post!

If it’s a direct shot and something that I’ve not found out about myself I’m knocked off-balance for a bit. What a great learning opportunity though, you know? You know how rarely I get honest reactions from people? I want them, I crave them… and yet society has made us all into clones… we just do as everyone else. Trying not to hurt others’ feelings with the truth. Sure it’s our own truth, but sometimes people are going against the grain and need to find out what other people think about it. Sometimes it sucks quite frankly and if I’m not the one to tell them, maybe nobody else ever will. I don’t want to go through life not realizing I’m pissing people off on a daily basis. Why should I let someone else go through life like that? :P

Now, I can be tactful. What I was talking about above in which I blitz someone with a truthful response to the way they’re affecting me is usually when they’re overstepping their bounds… They’re interfering with my space… they’re talking too much about their own interests and aren’t also listening as much as they’re speaking – that’s one area I don’t have all that much patience for. Evangelical Christians, or anyone blissed out on their own religion come across like this at times.

Or maybe they’re blowing smoke in my face as they talk. Maybe they smell and co-workers have gossiped about them for the last few months. Maybe… well, there’s lots of circumstances that might lead me to get real honest with someone.

If it’s done with me – I look at it like – wow, someone actually cares enough to risk our friendship to let me know something really personal that’s going to hurt – but probably enable me to get through life a little easier… I’m all for that.

I have one question for you: are you at ease when your friends drop the truth on you as you are with telling them the unadorned truth?