(I have enjoyed this blog and have used it for a myriad of purposes. To ‘tell stories’ I have heard – to honor both the story, and the storyteller. To shares bits and pieces of my recovery from alcoholism. To comment on current events (just beginning). And to pass on things I’ve learned to my grand children. This ‘post’ is one of the lessons I’ve learned…)
So, what does your ‘word’ mean to you?
This question was asked to me, maybe 7 or 8 years ago when I was in therapy. Quite ‘thought provoking,’ it was. I think at some time in your life you should ask yourself this question straight out. Probably best as you enter adulthood, but certainly the question can be introduced in your late pre-teen years. But at some time I encourage you to sit down alone, someplace special, and think about it – for it will shape your character for the rest of your life.
What does your ‘word’ mean to you?
Looking back upon it myself, I was taught that my ‘word’ is everything I am. It is my bond. It emboldens me to be true to myself. If I am true to myself, I will be true to you, and everyone else. And this is the way I choose to my life.
“What difference does it make?” “Everyone does it.” These are a couple ‘cop outs’ we often hear these days for not keeping our word. Well, to me, it makes all the difference in the world. To keep my word leads to my “authenticity.” Just because “everyone does it,” does not necessarily express the way I want to live my life. I tend to go ‘against the grain’ of our society a great deal these days. I just don’t buy into a lot of the “garbage” I see in our society these days…
It seems as if it is just so easy today, not to keep our word. “I’ll call you when I get off work;” “I’ll have your Christmas gifts in the mail next week.” “I just bought a stamp, I’ll have your check in the mail tomorrow,” – and so forth. After a period of broken commitments and promises, when these people tell me anything, I just tend to blow them off. Their ‘word’ is meaningless. And the next step, I tend not to associate with them.
Today my word is everything to me – it defines me. If I tell you that I am going to do something, I will do it. This really keeps life simple.
If you haven’t thought about it, take a moment here – now – and ask yourself, “What does your word mean to you?” It is never too late to begin living a life of authencity…