The Promises You Intend To Keep #233
Promises.
“People with good intentions make promises, but people with good character keep them.”
Author Unknown
This quote speaks to me. When I review my good intentions, they are sincere. From the time I speak them, I mean them and intent to deliver upon them. Then, life happens and, at times, my good intentions have become just that; intentions. Nothing more. And when I don’t deliver upon them, any goodness diminishes and disintegrates in time.
When we create agreements with others and casually or absent-mindedly “forget,” de-prioritize, reason away, or intentionally don’t deliver, we are speaking more loudly than we realize. Though they will lose faith in our ability to do what we say and over time if we create patterns of broken promises people will disregard our words or worse, end the relationship. And that isn’t the worst part.
The worst part is when we have good intentions (make resolutions) and break our word repeatedly and no longer trust ourselves in the same way. Over time our comfort (read justifications, excuses, reasons) for not doing what we intended result in resignation and apathy. It’s a sure way to diminish your confidence one day at a time.
Make the promises you intend to keep.