Promises.
- Topic suggestion by Firah.

A promise has always been something that gives hope, something that makes us advance, and something that we can look forward to. It gives us security; it assures us and calms our troubled mind. But then promises are also made to be broken, and indeed it has been repeatedly broken, time and again. You just can't hold on to promises, because everything is subject to change. Accept that reality.

Your partner made a promise that he/she won't do something that you don't like. In the end, your partner did it. Yes, it hurts knowing that they have broken the promise they themselves made.

Honoring promises is high on all of our list of requirements in being a person of integrity. Basically, whenever someone fails to follow through on a promise, with the exception of giving a reasonable excuse for backing out on their word, it registers as a betrayal. Whenever we've had a promise made to me broken, it has affected all of us adversely. No one likes to be forgotten or dumped upon. Frankly, it hurts!

It is never okay to break a promise. Granted, people do have a right to "change their minds" from time to time. It is understandable that occasionally circumstances can arise after the fact that can make following through on commitments unfeasible. But, if you routinely renege on your promises or if on the flip side you are often the recipient of broken promises it is time to evaluate this pattern.

Keeping promises is very important. Don't make promises you can't keep. Broken promises hurt individuals and can erode relationships. Trustworthiness is too valuable of a characteristic to own. Don't give it away. So, please keep your promises.