Step 18: Committing to Fulfill Your Vision
To fulfill or actualize your vision and mission in life, it is essential that you make a commitment to do so. It is not enough just to “dream dreams.” A vision and sense of mission by itself will not change your life. A vision and sense of mission must be accompanied by a deep sense of commitment, a promise to try hard each day to pursue that vision and mission.
A vision can be likened to the blueprint of a house. Commitment can be likened to gathering materials, driving the nails, and staying with the project until the home is finished. Commitment requires taking ownership for our choices. It requires self-discipline, dedication, and accountability. It requires taking risks, exercising self-motivation, and maintaining faith in oneself.
Promise is a more eloquent expression of commitment. A promise is something that we hunger and thirst after. It is spiritual. It has the depth and intensity of a covenant. It has potency. In looking at the active religious commitment of some individuals, we often see this kind of intense willingness to sacrifice and show ongoing faith almost to the point of “I would rather die than dishonor my covenant or promise.”
A promise becomes a way of life. An example of this is when a woman or a man takes on the role in the home of being the primary caretaker, or the primary wage earner, and is willing to continue that goal no matter what sacrifices are needed. It becomes not only a way of life but also a deeply ingrained part of oneself. A deep promise is not impacted by the temptations of immediate gratification. It is not disrupted by the moment but is an ongoing and unrelenting life direction.
Promises are powerful motivators, which help us change and grow. Perhaps you can remember the power of a promise, taught in the story and movie of the trilogy, “Lord of the Rings.” After one horrible battle, Frodo was rowing across a lake, when Sam, on the shore, noticed. He yelled out, “wait for me!” As Frodo continued to paddle away, Sam insisted on coming to the point of jumping into the water and swimming out to the boat. After he was dragged safely inside the little rowboat, Frodo said, “Sam, what are you doing? You could have died. You don’t even know how to swim!” Sam replied, “I had to come. I made a promise.” Sam had promised to stay with Frodo through his journey. By making promises and commitments, we help ourselves change, and grow, and do hard things. We can help others do the same. People often do what seems impossible, being enabled and empowered by their own personal integrity. Most individuals, good people, don’t want to break promises. Don’t be afraid to make, and ask others to make, promises. They are powerful.
Making and keeping a promise is not simply a behavioral choice. It is a choice about “being.” When we make and keep heartfelt promises, it is a “way of life” in which we are saying, and living, “I choose to be - in this moment, and in all moments, consistent with my promise.