Creativity and Creation

I've just finished two inspirational books which I'd recommend to anyone. The 1st is "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz who was born into a family of healers in Mexico and through his simple 'four agreements', he shows the way to self awareness and ultimately personal freedom. Freedom from self inflicted pain, guilt, victimisation, blame, etc which arised from ourselves and others, even your loved ones unwittingly. We can start anew and change our personal rules and make these new agreements for a better life.

These four agreements are:
- Be impeccable with your words
Think before speaking as our words carry a lot of power, it can create joy as well as poison. Have you ever wondered why we humans are the only animals on earth that can speak? So before you say something to hurt someone in a fit of anger, come back to this agreement and be aware of your words.
- Don't take anything personally
Whatever happens to you or is said to you by someone is no fault of yours. It is not you, but them. If you can set this agreement, I think you'll be untouchable.
- Don't make assumptions
Seek the truth, as assumptions often lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings, then we end up taking it personally and say hurtful stuff. Very common, couples say things like 'You should have known or you should know me by now'.
- Always do your best
Last but not least, if you do your best - no more, no less - you'll live a meaningful productive life, guided by your own awareness of what you can achieve. If you know you can do better, do it and you won't judge yourself, feel guilty when people accuse you, or punish yourself even if you didn't meet the target.

And I've come up with my 5th agreement based on my own experience - "Forgive yourself and others". Learn from your mistakes and have the balls to say sorry and mean it. Forgiveness not just apply to yourself but also others who have caused you grief and harm. With forgiveness in your heart, you have nothing to fear.

The 2nd book is "How To Be Free" by best selling author Tom Hodgkinson who escaped from the city and its industrialised evils to set up a simple and happier life with his family in the countryside. This is a follow up to his first book "How To Be Idle" - which is not only hilarious but makes great sense. "How To Be Free" is equally witty and addresses topics like 'Break the bonds of boredom', 'The tyranny of bills and freedom of simplicity', 'Stop competing' and 'Stop working, start living'.

Some passages from his book read: "Today we are imprisoned by our desires, shackled by shopping. The will to shop is a corroding and enfeebling force...This is not to say that one can't enjoy luxuries, it's just that we shouldn't take them seriously as a kind of goal in life. Don't make luxury into a meaning.' Hear ye, hear ye. It's scary how a friend recently racked up $30,000++ of debts on her 10 credit cards, and she confessed she has no savings at all. God knows what she spent on?! All I can say is - if you can't afford it, don't buy it! Life shouldn't be on credit.

After some deliberation, I made a conscious decision to cancel my cable TV. In any case I don't watch cable often (reading is so enriching and free!) and most of the contents these days are crap, so it's a waste of money ($38 to be exact). I also went back to 'creativity and creation' and sew myself a pinstriped 'casino' totebag with 4 Aces embellishments (inspired by L's obession with the IRs)!