Say It Then Really Do It

Many of us love to help. We love to offer assistance or expertise. We love to share our hook-up. The only problem is when we only say, and fail to actually do. For example, you and a friend are riding along in your car and the friend tells you how much they love the music playing. You let them know that you burned the CD yourself and will be happy to make them a copy. One week goes by, then two, and then months go by. You forget all about the promise. You meant no harm. You just got busy. How about the committee at your child’s school that you volunteered for….and then the planning meeting that you didn’t go to? You meant no harm. You were double booked. And when Auntie Lou wants you to run her to Sears next weekend you say, “Ok Auntie, I got you.” Three weekends later you have to explain to your mama how you meant no harm, you simply forgot. Unfortunately, this type of behavior goes on all the time. Some of us, including me, do this more often than we care to admit. It doesn’t seem to be a big deal, after all, you’re busy, or it slipped your mind, or your schedule is so full. You intended to do it, right? You meant no harm. But what about the promises made that someone was really counting on? What about integrity, keeping our word? This includes saying that you will do something.

I gave this a lot of thought recently because in early 2009, I made a conscious effort to not say I was going to do something if I had even the slightest thought that I might not be able to follow through. There were times when I really had to fight the urge to say I would do, join, or buy something. I stood strong because I had concluded that all those broken promises great and small were essentially lies, and I wanted no part of them. I thought about how disappointed I was when someone promised me something and didn’t follow through. I never asked again, because I figured maybe they had changed their minds and I didn’t want to be rude. I’ve recently even been disappointed with friends or relatives who are experts and have offered their services, but have yet to follow through. I really didn’t want the service for free, I’m willing to pay but they refused, “I got you!” they exclaimed. Unfortunately, it is on their timetable, not mine. I’m pretty sure that in the latter part of 2009 I began to slip up again by making a few empty promises that I meant to do.

So here I sit waiting for some services, and also concluding that I won’t be getting some of the things that friends offered, and knowing that I have broken promises out in the atmosphere. And it makes me sad. So to everyone that I know who I have promised some information, service, or thing, I apologize. I am even giving you permission to “remind” me that I promised you something. I will follow through. Feel free to join me in making the entire year of 2010 the year where we are going to say it and then really do it!

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