Experience Life in a Lighthearted Way

One of the four agreements of Don Miguel Ruiz’s book, by the same title, is "Don't take things personally," and the yogis would agree. They encourage us to experience life in a lighthearted way, playing our part and not taking things too seriously.

The world is filled with diverse perspectives and beliefs. People hold a wide range of beliefs that may not align with your own, and it's natural for disagreements to arise. Getting triggered or overly invested in convincing others to change their perspectives may not be the most productive approach.

You must not expect the world to understand your view of life. There is no use inflicting your views upon other people. Let them be. And don't make the mistake of being overly vulnerable and letting others take advantage of you. Understand your role in the game of life, in which you must participate. Join in as if you genuinely enjoy it, play your part well, and you will learn valuable lessons from each experience.

Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you are too good for life, pretending to be excessively righteous or superior to others or "holier than thou." Just be yourself, be authentic, be natural. Don't be afraid to express joy, smile, or laugh. Having a sense of humor is one of the best gifts we have; it helps us avoid making foolish mistakes. Sometimes, a good laugh can be as good as prayer or meditation.

As Don Miguel Ruiz wrote in his book,

That driver who cut you off on the highway, the coworker who talks behind your back, or the person at the next table complaining about your dogs on the restaurant patio—don't take them too seriously. Don't let the minor games of life appear overly significant to you. Much of life can be seen as a joke by those who rise above it and observe it from a different perspective. It's like a play that prepares us, the children of God, the Absolute, for the true essence of existence.