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While growing up, I had this friend who wanted to study a particular course in the university as soon as he finished from secondary school. He discussed it with one of his uncles who told him that he would help him. In fact, he asked him that he should put a particular university as his first choice, that he has influence in the university and he would help him secure admission for the course. The promised triggered hope in him and as soon as he finished from secondary school, he approached his uncle to fulfill his promise, but things did not turn out the way he expected. It was an empty promised made, and his uncle could not live up to it. The broken promise broke the young man's dreams and altered the course of his life completely. The hope he had in the promise made him not to explore other options. There is no point in making a promise that you know that you cannot keep.

<center>![silhouette-774835_640.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQPNeUYPQy1w1rZ4rTAhzjFCibFvvFHAjWKfpvnJPXQTq/silhouette-774835_640.jpg)</center>

<center><sub>Image from [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/illustrations/silhouette-balloon-promise-774835)</sub></center>

It is worthy to note that promises are not just mere words nor just vague statements, but they are like bonds, seeds of hope, and a bridge of trust. Each time you have made a promise to someone, you have given them reasons to dreams, to hope, to wait, and to believe. But when that particular promise is broken, not only will the trust they have for you be shattered, but it can also break the dream they had, the confidence, and even the mind to believe again. There are some people who do not believe in promises again because of past experience that had. This is why you have to promise only what you know you can keep.

A promise that is broken can break relationships, friendship, can reduce credibility, and can even block opportunities. Do not psyche people up with vague promises just to make them feel good. Trust me, if you cannot live up to your words, they will not trust you and they will not regard your words again. Only say what you know is within your ability to do. Even if it is the very little that you can do, it is better to say it and keep to it. They will know that you are a person of your word and that you have integrity.

When you keep a promise, you restore faith and hope in the heart of the person, but much more than that, you create opportunities that you can never imagine existed. More so, when people remark you for keeping your words, it will build your reputation of reliability, and they will associate you with good character. On the other hand, if you break a promise, it does not only affect the dreams and hopes of the other person negatively but also yours, and it might even impact negatively on your future. Constantly breaking promise can also close doors of opportunities because no one will want to associate with the person they know does not have the integrity to keep to their words.

<center>![valentines-day-background-2156174_640.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZ1SL84EhQP3rQhXKm26kfUZqTTij8bbZFRLxNweHdBnR/valentines-day-background-2156174_640.jpg)</center>

<center><sub>Image from [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/photos/valentines-day-background-friendship-2156174)</sub></center>

The next time you are about to make promises and to give people your word, remember that they are not just empty words, but they have the power to either build or break. So you see, it is not just about the person you are making the promise to, but it is about protecting yourself, your dream, your integrity, your personality, and your character. This is part of what build the legacy that cannot be erased. When you want to make promises, even when you are excited, always think if you have the ability to fulfill it - know if it is within your ability to fulfill.

Do not joke about promises. Imagine someone promising someone the "whole world" when the person can barely afford their personal needs. It may be a joke, but you still have to beware of giving vain promises. Say what you mean. Also mean the things you say. I am sure you will not find it amusing if someone promises you something and does not live up to their words, so do not do it to someone else.

***Thanks for reading***

<div class=phishy>Peace on y'all</div>

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