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Practices

Five Practices That Keep the Work Honest

By Marie Demres, Whole Life Guidance Coach

Marie does not ask anyone to adopt a religion or a book in order to work with her. She does return to a few practices that keep the work clean: honest speech, less assumption, doing what you can today, and listening for what is true underneath the noise.

One root is faith. The Great Commandment puts it this way: love God with all your heart, soul, and strength, and love one another as you love yourself.

Another root is the work of Don Miguel Ruiz in The Four Agreements, later expanded with Don Jose Ruiz in The Fifth Agreement. Marie shares these as useful ways of thinking, with credit to their authors.

Be impeccable with your word. Say what you mean. Do not use words to attack yourself or gossip about someone else. Aim speech toward truth and care.

Don’t take anything personally. What other people say and do is often their story, not yours. That does not make hurt disappear. It can keep you from carrying what is not yours.

Don’t make assumptions. Ask. Say what you want. Clear questions prevent a lot of extra pain.

Always do your best. Your best on a strong day and your best on a depleted day will not look the same. Doing what you can, that day, leaves less room for self-attack.

Be skeptical, and learn to listen. Doubt can be useful. Listen for the intent under the words.

These are not homework you must pass. They are handles. In coaching, they often show up as a quieter question: what is actually true right now, and what is the next kind word or next honest step?

If you want help putting any of this into lived practice, book a free discovery session.

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