When I think about making promises, my mind immediately goes to the song Promises -Promises sang by the renowned, Dionne Warrick. Making a promise is not to be given lightly. When we give our assurance we will do a thing, we are making a covenant between ourselves and the other party.
Promises are like babies, easy to make and hard to deliver. Author Unknown
There are times when we absolutely cannot keep a promise, and we should let the other party know, as soon as possible. There may be a need to be released from the agreement or have the agreement changed. Be honest about it.
We make casual pledges everyday to our spouses, children, coworkers, employers and friends, while not fully understanding there is no difference, between big promises and little promises. Sadly they are broken too often without much thought.
When you make a promise you are giving an oath, a pledge and commitment.
Let us examine a few ways promises are made.
· When we marry we promise to love, honor and cherish each other. Some people dishonor marriage vows with abandon and the result of that can end with divorce.
· We promise to be present at an event for our child. Remember, our children can hold the painful memory of a broken promise their entire life.
· We make an agreement to be on time to work for our employer. When we are not on time for our responsibility, our coworkers suffer as well.
· A department store guarantees to stand behind their product, except when they do not. That causes bad feelings for their customer. As a result the customer spread the bad news all around.
· A promise we make to ourselves and break is most devastating. Please be careful here. If you make a covenant with yourself and you cannot keep it, first, forgive yourself and be kind and loving to yourself. Do not be afraid to start over.
A promise is a debt unpaid. Robert Service
There are times when our verbal promises do not work. Have you wondered why? It is simply because someone did not honor an agreement. Now, we need a written contract.
We all have experienced the consequences of a broken promise. Keeping your word tells the world who you are, and how you want to be known.
When we do not keep a promise it tells the other person, we do not value them, thus eroding a relationship causing pain and suffering.
Before making an agreement, quickly and silently remind yourself of any complications that may be involved in keeping your word.
· Do not give your word if you cannot keep it.
· Do not ever use the statement “I will try.” Do it or not.
When you make a promise think about this quote from Norman Vincent Peale, “Promises are like crying babies in a theater and should be carried out at once.”
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Honor Yourself?