"Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean." ~Miguel Angel Ruiz
I've found with age, I've become more cautious about the commitments I make. When I was a younger I found it easier to agree to do something than it was to say no to the person who was asking. After I married and the kids were born, time and energy was scarce so I had to cowboy up and learn to say no. It was an uncomfortable lesson but I understood the correlation between keeping my word and my relationship with my friends and loved ones. Committing to an action and then failing to deliver could hurt my relationship with those I cared about in my life. I had to be honest with others and myself because I no longer had the freedom to agree to every request for my time.
Keeping your word is fundamental to a healthy, loving relationship. Following through on your promises builds trust with others and confirms with your loved ones that you are reliable and respect their needs and concerns. Your relationship with your family and friends is built on trust that is earned over time. Without it the relationship will eventually wither and die.
But it goes beyond how keeping your words effect others. It is about you and the kind of person you will be; it's about self-esteem and self-worth. Will you feel good about yourself if you are continually letting down the people you love? I am not talking about the occasional bout of forgetfulness. I am talking about being careless with your word, not following through on your promises. Are you a person who keeps your word? If not, why?
Hugs,
C