Promises and Commitments

How good is your word? Is your word, your commitment?

For people with integrity, our word is our bond. When we agree to do something we do it.

Is it true for you?

You probably keep your word to your friends and colleagues to employers  and employees.

But do you value your agreements with yourself? Do you keep your word to yourself?

This is an important aspect of the spiritual path.  Many people who have learned to put other people's needs ahead of their own, are great at keeping promises to others, but are really poor at giving themselves the same respect that they give others.

If this describes you, make a decision to stop it.

Sometimes our commitment is instinctual. A mother hummingbird sat on her nest for at least an hour at a time outside my front door. People were coming and going. And that sweet tiny ever-moving bird, sat. Why did she sit? I think she had a commitment to the new life that was attempting to burst forth from her.


This is a very short post for me because I need to keep some other agreements with myself.

I love the quotes by W.H. Murray,

 "Until one is committed,there is hesitancy, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation) there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too."

The quote is often followed by a couplet by Goethe: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."

What one thing can you do today which would move you closer toward your vision? Commit to yourself to do it. Do it now. 

Another quote I love is from the mystic poet Rumi:

"Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again, come, come."