I found this great example of the definition of commitment: Put your head underwater and keep it there for a while and you’ll soon realize that you’re 100% committed to breathing. We don’t make excuses not to breathe. We don’t worry about motivating ourselves to breathe. We certainly don’t need to justify our desire to breathe. We just breathe. Commitment is action.
No excuses. No debate. No analysis. No complaining about how hard it is. No worrying about what others might think. No delays or fears. You just do.
We have been having a commitment discussion at home regarding various sports, the playing of stringed instruments and the commitment to focus on school during the week. We have not been on the same page about its definition. I’ve also had this conversation recently with a friend when talking about relationships. Again, the definition came up.
I think we overuse the word commitment. I believe that a lot of what we do (when we say we are committed to doing something) is really just to promise to do something. For example, I promise to do the laundry and not forget or I promise to be exclusive in a relationship. A commitment is a fact that is demonstrated by our behavior. In other words, a promise is something you say and a commitment is something you do. So, my kids have promised to finish the swim season but they don’t have a commitment to swimming. Or, for example, when you are married, it is clear you are in a committed relationship. Your commitment is a legal contract and a publicly witnessed fact. However, as a couple you can have an uncommitted attitude.
It is making the time when there is none. Coming through time after time after time. Year after year after year. Commitment is the stuff character is made of; The power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism.
theyearof50 