Dear pipsqueaks,
When was the last time u made a promise? Did you pull through with it, or bailed out epically? For some reason, I get the feeling "promises" have taken on a different kind of importance nowadays. These couple of months, I've encountered several people who have told me, they don't make promises. Of course, being me, I'd ask why. There's the one-phraser, "just because", n the pessimist, "no one makes promises any more", n the joker "promises are made to be broken" (I'd say he's a joker because I'd like to give him the benefit of the doubt that he didn't actually mean it...hopefully). But seriously, what's the big deal with promises anyway?
On the account of rarely breaking any of my promises, I can say that I have a rather clean record indeed. Though, I do have to clarify, I don't make them easily; hence, I don't have the tendency nor the possibility to stack of up the disappointment count. That brings me to question why others would be so objected to making promises. Is it because they've frequented being at the receiving end of fallen-out promises? or because they can't handle the weight of their words? or because they treat every word seriously, so all that was said is a promise in itself? Could be. In the end, it's not really about the promise literally, is it? It's really about how someone perceives the importance of whatever is being promised. I mean, if it's honestly that important to u, with or without a promise, u'd do it anyway. As for those who don't do promises, well, in my mind, it reasons as such: u don't because u can't commit- aka. commitment issues. Full stop. Whether it's important or not, u won't sign urself up to do it just because it's easier not to. Now, there's nothing wrong with that, except, u do lose that hint of stability, liability, n most importantly, trust.
Admit it, there's some sense of comfort when someone says to u, "I promise...". That comfort comes from being able to decide for urself whether he/she can be trusted when the "deal" ends- accomplished or not. Over time, it'll grow to be a symbol of trust knowing when it's been voiced, it's as done as carvings on ancient stones. Bottom line: don't make a promise u can't (try to) keep, but don't be afraid to make them either. Whether u pull through or not isn't the end of the world, but it shows how important u deem something or someone to be. I mean, com'on, have u ever really been upset at someone who actually tried to keep a promise? Okay, maybe a little, but it sure beats someone who doesn't even have the guts to make one (n try everything in their power to uphold it).
As promised, I will speak only of what is nothing less than true.