‘Commitment is an act, not a word’ –Sartre

How many times we have committed ourselves to something and let it go? In the case of New Year resolutions, almost every time. Or we do fulfill the commitment but only for the sake of it. Our heart is not there. So is that really commitment? I don’t think so.

Very often we promise something to someone and are not able to keep it. Of course we have ten excuses lined up but the fact is we did not do what we promised. That is why my mom used to say, ‘ don’t make promises unless you mean to fulfill them.’ How moms know the best!!! It is very easy to say yes and most of us don’t know how to say NO to our family, friends and colleagues.

We take on responsibilities, which drain us physically, mentally and emotionally and instead of making our relationships better, make them worse. Because there is resentment in our heart and expectation of gratitude, which, more often than not, is, absent. Because they take it for granted. So we fret and fume and swear we are never going to say yes but we again say yes. And so it goes on.

So what do we do?

First, we have to learn to say No to things we cannot commit to. Say it politely but firmly. Don’t make excuses why you cannot do it. Second, we have to learn to put our heart in something we have committed to. In the process, you will annoy people in the beginning but in the long run, they will appreciate you more because whatever you do, you will do with heart and with pleasure. So there will be no resentment on your side and you will find gratitude also.

Go ahead, say No to things you can nit commit to but once you do, make it an act not a word.