How many times have we heard these two words? I’ve said them, you’ve said them, probably more times than you realize, and then all of a sudden, you make a promise you don’t keep and that person you promised doesn’t trust your words because you didn’t follow through. Most of the time we make promises we hope we can follow through with such as, we say we’re going to be somewhere and we forget, or we are asked to keep a secret and we tell someone else because we “believe” will keep the secret as well as you did…NOT.  Let’s face it…PROMISES ARE HARD TO KEEP …USUALLY. 

PROMISES WE HAVE TROUBLE BELIEVING

We have trouble believing empty work promises, politicians and their promises, a friend, spouse, partner, child, or any family member making promises they have not kept, or we have not kept. Why do we all make these promises we don’t follow through with. I have a couple answers for this thought

One answer is, we hope we can follow through with our promises and then life just gets in the way. Excuse? Maybe, truth…Absolutely. Half the time we forget a promise without even realize we forgot the promise until it’s too late. Guilt sets in, and we start feeling down on ourselves.  The person we made a promise to remembered that promise and most likely will not forget that you forgot as soon as you wish they would.  Being the wonderful person I know you are, you also will not forget and probably wonder how you can make it up to the person you broke the promise to. 

Another reason we make promises we can’t keep is because we want to prove to ourselves we are worthy of our word and we want the person we are making a promise to to trust us and believe in us. We so badly want be a people pleaser and be loved by the person we make the promise to when in all actuality, we are making the connection further apart. So….How can we make promises and keep them????? 

Please think about this before you shake your head and say, “It’s not that easy.” Here is the simple way to stop breaking promises….”Think before we speak”. I know I know….easier said than done. I will be the first to say, I have trouble with this just as much and the next person. I am a total people pleaser and I want the peace and harmony in life just as everyone else. I too, am a work in progress and always will be, that’s just the best part of life, being a work in progress. 

When we acknowledge that we continue to make promises without following through, that’s the best part of making progress…it’s HUGE. When someone asks us to do something, think about it before you reply, then ask yourself, “Can I do what I am about to promise?” If someone promises to do something, for your sanity and for their sake of learning….Ask them, “Do you believe you can/will do this or follow through?”  Nothing to be embarrassed about by asking, let them know you are working on bettering yourself by not making “empty promises.” 

I believe in you…yes ….You…the one reading this. The person that will and can change by stop making promises you/we cannot keep, and helping others to do the same. 

Trust the Journey, 

Alexis