This is 1 of 4 of my blog posts entitled “Parkinson’s Disease, My Chinese Papa, and My practicing The Four Agreements”

Remembering the mistakes I made when I was my mom’s advocate 15 years ago is benefitting another loved one.

Honestly, I didn’t know that I would be enjoying my new part-time job as my father’s exercise coach, appointment escort, and advocate OR that I would be practicing The Four Agreements (from Don Miguel Ruiz’s timeless book).

Agreement #1 -  Be impeccable with my word

Wednesday evening while watching a Cantonese television program called Big Boys Club (the topic was about using a system to find meaningful relationships), my papa started expounding his philosophy.  I asked him to turn down the volume so that I could better hear him. He obliged.

All was copacetic until he said “You’d be happier if you get a Masters degree. People who go back to school get ahead in life.”

What the #%#*? (I didn’t say it). I could feel my pulse quickening though. “Ridiculous!” I sputtered.  I felt regret as soon as I heard the tone that went with the syllables. Then I said, “The most valuable lessons in life I learn from friends.”

Papa injected, “Mary’s brother is a doctor. He went to Harvard.”

What the #%#*? (I didn’t say it). What I did say was: “How wonderful for him. Okay, let’s say I did want to get a Masters degree. Many hours of school and studying. Who would be coming over here to help you exercise?”

There were two seconds of silence.  Then, with a smile and warm eyes he said, “The important thing is that you are happy doing what you are doing.”

Why didn’t I stay calm earlier? The word “ridiculous” floated between Papa and me.

I suppose I’ll have to practice Agreement #4 – “Always do my best”

http://lovemadeofheart.com/blog/part-1-of-4-parkinsons-disease-my-chinese-papa-and-my-practicing-the-four-agreements/

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To listen to my reading of this blog post, please visit my  YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/user/TeresaLeYung  or simply click on the following underscored text …  Part 1 of 4 “Parkinson’s Disease, My Chinese Papa, and My practicing The Four Agreements”

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan with her Love Made Of Heart totebag - photo by YBK

Author & Fanbase-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan says: “Reach out, not stress out. Enjoy your writer’s journey.”
http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

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Teresa LeYung-Ryan is the author of:

·          Build Your Writer’s Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW (workbook);

·          Love Made of Heart: a Daughter Breaks Free from Her Violent Past as Her Mother Journeys through Mental Illness   (novel used in college classes, recommended by the California School Library Association and the California Reading Association, and archived at the San Francisco History Center);

·          “Talking to My Dead Mom” Monologues (the first monologue received an award from Redwood 10-Minute Play Contest and was staged at the 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa, CA);

·         Coach Teresa’s Blog (which attracts tens of thousands of writers) at http://WritingCoachTeresa.com  helps writers build their platforms before and after publication

I like the number 4 – 4 legs to hold up the table I write on; 4 wheels to keep my vehicle on roads; 4 seasons; 4 compass directions; 4 parts in the Chinese word for “love”; 4 letters in the English word for “love”; 4 colleagues working on some of my projects; The Four Agreements by Don Miguel   Ruiz   http://www.miguelruiz.com/

Speaking of four, Theresa Stephenson’s friend Jill Lebeau, MS, MFT has co-authored Feng Shui Your Mind: Four Easy Steps to Rapidly Transform Your Life! with Maureen Raytis, MA, L.Ac.   www.fengshuiyourmind.com

Sincerely,
Teresa LeYung Ryan

I am so happy to announce the opening of the Love Made of Heartonline store where you’ll find gift items for yourselves, women, children, moms and babies, friends and pets.  http://lovemadeofheart.com/Love-Made-of-Heart-Online-Store-&-Gift-Shop.html The Chinese word for “heart” is inside the word for “love.”

Love Made of Heart -  purple heart inside pink love

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For Writers:
Build Your Name, Beat the Game: Be Happily Published is the 22 minutes for 22 days workbook. http://WritingCoachTeresa.com

I could not believe my ears. What happened to “Be impeccable with your word” in The Four Agreements?  Didn’t this doctor read the book?

In that little powerful book, Don Miguel Ruiz gives readers [ Agreement #1. Be Impeccable With Your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love. ]  http://www.miguelruiz.com Ruiz’s books are based on Toltec teachings.

When I see my friend, I will show her another beautiful book.  Learn to Power Think by Caterina Rando, published by Chronicle Books. The book’s subtitle is: A practical Guide to Positive and Effective Decision Making.  On the back cover, the words “change your thinking change your life” make me smile.

Words are powerful–our using them can create compassion or contempt, peace or war.

May all healthcare providers and receivers (including yours truly) get to practice all 4 agreements in The Four Agreements and the wisdom in Learn to Power Think.

Sincerely,

Teresa LeYung Ryan

“My blog is to encourage you to transform your experiences into powerful stories.”

For other posts in my blog, please go to: https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog

If you’re looking for my blog posts pertaining to our Beautiful Brains and Neuroplasticity… https://lovemadeofheart.com/blog  look at right side of screen, you’ll see the category “Beautiful Brains Neuroplasticity”.  Please click on that category to get those posts.