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I am still thinking of when I have made a promise to someone and failed because I can't even figure out any. One thing I always remind myself of is that promise is a debt and it's better not to make an unfulfilled promise than make one and ruin relationships or lose your trust. I am always careful of my reputation among friends and families, it is why I don't make a promise. If I must make one, then I must fulfil it. Aside from this, I am always careful especially when I am over-excited, because it is at this moment people tend to make promises and after a while, they change their mouth, denying ever making one. That is why they say when you are too happy, be careful of what you tell the other person which turns into a promise. Trust is easily shattered when there is a broken promise.
When it comes to borrowing anything from anyone, I make a promise to return at a specific time. Sometimes, it may not be up to that time before returning and this has earned me respect among people. I wonder how some people will feel good promising someone and would not fulfil it, in the end, they even blame the other person, and would hear something like, "am I the one behind your misfortune?". This is why I don't like reminding people of their promise to me. Once they promise, I will only look forward to that time and when that time comes, I will give the grace of another week or two, perhaps he or she might have forgotten. Maybe after the grace of some days or weeks, I may remind such a person but if I still do not get it, that will be the end of my reminder.
I don't even make someone force me into making a promise when it's not in my capacity to do it. Some people can be hard to force you and when you don't fulfil, they turn you into a bad person. A promise is something one shouldn't make with an empty tongue. Children feel bad when you don't fulfil their promise as they have trusted you to do it, and once broken, you become an enemy to them but it doesn't make them not keep coming to you and they keep making you make a promise.
Some relationships are easily destroyed when you do not fulfil your promises. Imagine making a vow on the altar to your partner, after two to three years, the promises that you will be there for them in sickness and in health, for better or worse, etc. are suddenly forgotten and you start to cheat, what do you think will happen to the marriage?
So, I rather not make a promise that would be broken which could ruin my relationship with anyone. It is better to be picky with words to people and not promise someone who would start expecting me to fulfil it. I always think of its effect if not fulfilled and it has helped me to be careful not to go beyond my capacity. When I have or can do it, I will, and if not, I would let the person know instead of waiting and expecting me in vain.
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