The Importance of Keeping Promises

When last did you make a promise to someone? Did you keep to that promise? It's a sad thing that many people from where I come from hardly keep to their promise nowadays.

[Pixabay.com Public domain license]

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a promise is defined as

a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified; or a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act."

When this promise is broken, aside from the feeling of hurt, it simply tells others that we don't keep to our words and that they shouldn't rely on us. It also means that we don't value our words, which is the same as disrespecting ourself.

It is not a must to make promises to others if you know you are unsure or can't keep to it. It will be best to tell them in a polite manner that you would love to help them but you are unsure if you will be able to due to some personal reasons.

Keeping promises is good for us as it helps protect our reputation and makes people trust in us.