You Have My Word

                      "If you like the insurance you have, you can keep it”.
                          President Barak Obama 



 

I don’t know about you but I’m tired of hearing this hollow quote being repeated over and over again. Its sound echoes like the promise of hope and change, and reverberates across the news channels. No matter what your political persuasion, it's a sad reminder of how we have grown accustomed to worthless words and broken promises.

In July 2, 2012 I mentioned in a blog that I believed the value of our words has diminished. I wrote, “....we don't treat our words as if we believe they hold much power.….it's almost like we think they are unimportant, meaningless and insignificant."  If we should carelessly spew out unkind words or promises, we sometimes behave as if we can just call those words back inside like a mother hen gathering up her brood. We hear people saying things like this to erase the sting of their words, or excuse their unbroken promise,  “I was just kidding. I didn’t mean it. You took it the wrong way. I didn’t say I promised. I didn't know all the facts, You didn’t think I was serious when I said that, did you?”

Last week while on a trip to visit one of my daughters and her family, I was flipping through one an airline’s magazine and came across a story about Alex Sheen, a young man who had lost his father to cancer.  While dealing with the grief of his dad's early death, Alex found himself flooded with memories of what he came to learn was  his father's greatest asset....and ultimately his legacy.  His dad always kept his word and fulfilled his promises.  Alex reflected on how he hadn’t seen it so clearly while his father was living, but as he recounted the many promises his father had made to him….he realized each one had been fulfilled. 

The more he thought about this quality, the more Alex embraced it.  He wanted to enlarge this idea so he began by creating and handing out small business cards with only this phrase typed at the bottom: 'because I said I would'.  People would take his card and write down what they promised to do for someone, and then would pass the card on to that person.  They got back the card when they fulfilled their promise; paid their debt. Alex was soon taking requests by the hundreds and mailing his 'promise cards' out by the bundle...all free of charge. What started as a way to remember his beloved father, became a passion and a purpose. Alex was inspired to make his father’s legacy, that which he had lived by; honoring your word. 

Alex realized his passion was leaving little room for his high paying job, so he resigned in order to officially launch his non-profit business called ‘Because I said I would’. With the donations he receives he finds and supports causes around the world.  This inspiring story reminds me of how one may find his passion in the midst of pain.

When I arrived home from our long weekend getaway, I wanted to read more about Alex, so I goggled him.   I discovered him speaking on Ted Talks.  If you haven't already heard of Alex Sheen, here he is: http://becauseisaidiwould.com/ted/

 You can also read more about Alex on his website:  http://becauseisaidiwould.com/

Such a wonderful message, don’t you think?   The idea of keeping your promises, and giving value to the words we speak. 
Email me at smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com