To make or break a promise is something we all do, but there are some good and bad reasons for making a promise. So before we solemnly swear to cross our hearts and break our last pinky promise, let’s define what a promise is…
What is a promise?
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary: “… a promise is the declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified …”
Basically, it’s a commitment that you’re going to follow through on something. Like I promise to never ever eat chocolate cake or cold leftover pizza for breakfast!
On weekdays.
Types of Promises
Besides promising to never drop another candy bar into our shopping basket, many of us hear promises being made daily. We may make promises to members of your sports teams, and your work colleagues. We make promises to friends and family members, such as never inviting bad Uncle Ron to Christmas dinner again.
Many of us make flippant promises every single day. Such as the barista at the coffee shop promises to make your coffee extra hot. The mechanic promises to have your car ready for the weekend road trip.
How about that guy you dated years ago who promised to call you? Or was that you, hmm?
It’s also one of the most overused lines on TV shows where someone will say, “I promise to…”
The good thing is that promises aren’t considered legally binding.
Breaking a promise
According to a study at Stanford University, “Promises are of special interest … taken to impose moral obligations.”
It’s considered a moral duty to keep a promise.
Also, by keeping your promise it forges your reputation as a person to being someone who does as they say.
Yet by breaking that promise, it’s considered morally wrong to do so. It then has the potential to damage a professional work relationship, while your integrity and credibility cop a hammering too. Yikes.
This is called an empty promise where you have no intention of keeping your promise or you are choosing to renege on that promise.
Didn’t that just make you feel as soggy as old-school-time sandwiches left to sit in six feet of swamp water!
The other romantic promises:
When it comes to romantic promises, like the promises made during a wedding ceremony, there are also ways to show a promise via certain actions, celebrations, and even in jewellery too. But before you contact a lawyer to create a binding contract for a future romantic promise, try these alternatives instead:
The Promise Ring
The Promise ring is a tradition that dates from way back in the Middle Ages when men gave posy rings to their beloved.
Today, the promise ring signifies the promise a couple makes between themselves that their relationship is exclusive, with the aim of a long-term commitment. Its the ring before the engagement ring without the big investment.
It’s usually worn on the middle fingers, or on a chain, by both men and women, and it’s perfect for that couple who don’t want to get married but promise to be together forever. Aww.
The promise bracelet
To turn those romantic rosebud moments into something truly stupendous without tripping down the aisle of your well-paid jeweller’s store, try the promise bracelet.
Like the popular friendship bracelets, the Promise bracelet is something couples give when testing to see if their beloved is ready for the promise ring. Or they just can’t afford the ring.
But the promise bracelet can also be used as a pledge to yourself over something you choose.
Promise Day
Promise Day is celebrated on February 11. It is an opportunity for couples to proclaim their promise of love, the promises to do better as a couple and to support each other as part of the week-long celebration in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day. Honestly, I’d never heard of it until I’d researched this post, so how promising is that?
The art of keeping a promise
There is an art to keeping a promise—especially the promises we make to ourselves.
Making a promise to walk daily, meditate and eat healthier is for good reasons. Yet, your favourite chocolate cake is on special, and it is your friend’s birthday, so…
And this is how many promises soon get bent, until it’s broken, and then forgotten.
The experts’ tip for keeping a promise is:
- make a promise simple
- take it one day at a time
You’ll soon find keeping a promise to yourself boosts your self-esteem, and helps builds integrity not only in your relationship with others but to yourself. Yes, all that.
So how far would you go to keep your promise?
Making a promise is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly and after reading this you may think twice before you make a promise with the intent to keep it. Such as…
Trying to keep a promise to a friend, where a life debt is owed, a heartbroken Sienna ends up at a remote cattle station. Only, to then make a promise she’ll stay for four months until her friend returns. It’s what happens in the struggles of keeping that promise that is only a part of the epic story you’ll find in THE STATION.
But wait…
What about when you make a deathbed promise? This happens to the shy heroine, Maddison, in RUN BEAUTIFUL RUN, when she makes a promise that quickly escalates, ultimately turning her world apart. Find out where the promise takes her and if she completes it, here >>
**All still images relating to this post’s topic are via CANVA.com
Do check it out for all your graphic and social media needs.
| #Escape2HEA ~ because everyone deserves an Escape from the drama in their day!
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