Want to feel happier, freer and more connected? Keep your word. Period. Negotiating and justifying your way out of things because you dont feel like it, something better came up, its too hard/uncomfortable, etc. is the road to mistrust, betrayal and resentment with yourself and others. We have become such pansies in this western world. Especially in the new age spiritual movement. All this talk about MY needs and boundaries and taking care of ME. Sometimes, you just do stuff because you said you would. Sometimes, its not all about you and your moods no matter how enlightened you make it sound. A broken agreement is a broken agreement. If we dont have our word, we dont have much in this world. I get that renegotiation can take place at times, for legit reasons. Things come up. But pay attention to what you are committing to in thought and in word. Our mood should not determine whether we follow through on something. Think about what you are committing to before you speak it. And, once you give your word - to yourself or another - to work out at the gym, to be on time, to do your homework, to show up at an event, to help someone, to meditate daily - DO IT! This follow through is much more important than we realize to get to happier, freer, more connected. The thing about breaking our word, no matter how good the justification or excuse is - is that we know we broke our word - and this tells us deep inside that we cant be trusted. And, if we our self cant be trusted... then who can? Broken agreements are the guaranteed unraveling of self-esteem. I sleep well at night knowing I follow through on what I say much more than I let my flighty moods choose my fate. I would bet anything if we all started paying attention to what we committed to, and really took that to heart and followed through, our whole world would be uplifted quickly and radically. I also bet the addictions, neurosis and projections (i.e. blaming others for our own shadow) would be cut in half, if not wiped out completely. Such JOY and LIBERATION result from being transparent and true. And, this is sustainable :D
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 14:18:43 +0000