Is there such a superhero, with a catchy name and a movie franchise? If so, I haven’t heard about it. But there’s no doubt in my mind that being a defender of good promises is a super power indeed.
To be a good defender requires a very important skill, the skill of saying a good no. Not just any no, but a good no.
When you make a VIP—a Very Important Promise—especially to yourself, life tends to put you to the test to see if you really mean it. A good promise is a promise of substance, not one you throw around casually or to please your (or someone else’s) ego. It is an intention, carrying within it values you hold most dear, the musts you can’t do with out. You make these promises when you’re on your path; you are focused and determined. With a strong back, you stand tall, ready to stay true to yourself.
So when the challenges come—and oh, will they come—a good defender stands his or her ground, able to say no despite the lure of fun but fleeting temptations.
I’m not talking of a forceful refusal, although that’s sometimes required. I’m talking of raising your shield, of saying no with thoughtful discernment, with deep consideration, with nuanced deliberation. This is not the arena of shallow, binary, either/or choices; it is one where the choices are made for core reasons, a clear vision, borne of deeply held values.
A strong back means you’re grounded in confidence and have set purposeful boundaries. Add a strong shield, and you can then defend against the toughest obstacles. But without a strong back you can waver or give up too soon, and the shield used solely as a weapon means you’re coming from a place of fear and scarcity. This is not a place where humans feel super in any way.
As a defender of good promises, you need both, working in complement with one another. In a world full of those who don’t keep their word, you would indeed possess a unique strength.
And what might be your quest, with this magnificent power in your heart?
Why, a treasure trove of resilience, tenacity, endurance, and a deep well of confidence, of course. It is indeed a journey worth taking.
Image: Photo by Nik Shuliahin on Unsplash
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