I found myself reflecting recently and making a personal promise. The intriguing part of the process was the realization of how different this process was when I put it in context of youthful or emotional led promises of old.
Intense emotional moment can, and often are, pivot points in our lives. From Outward Bound exercises with intentional stress points, to exhilarating peaks, to life on the edge, I can think of multiple promises made. Some seem like I am a character in an old story, “If I ever forget you, Jerusalem, let my fingers wither and fall off like leaves.” (Psalm 137.5) Others carried sincere and deep intent, although it is hard to track how long I kept either at the center of my being.
The lessons I find myself documenting and replaying include the following.
It is good to periodically check and if appropriate, refreshing the laying of my life’s cornerstone. The values and principles which define my being could have drifted when measured by my actions and behaviors. It is good to take time to remember one’s commitments and the role Divinity continues to play in realizing them in one’s journey.
One should never question the moments where one revisits one’s promises. Use each moment as an opportunity to live out one’s promises and commitments. In success, enjoy the beauty and wonder one experiences. If there is an opportunity to learn, improve, and act action, seize the moment! Being a positive force for good is a calling shared between us.
Promises demand more than emotional intent. To be real, embedded, and realized, real promises and commitment require our intellect and emotions. They demand we bring our hearts as well as our physical bodies.
As I walk through the lessons, it is good to go through the disciplines of reflection, questioning and self-examination. I find myself changing each time I complete the process. As hard or easy as it is, the outcome is an awareness which follows opens a door to something better.
Life is never about arriving. Life is a quest with steps.
