+ “…and unlike me, you always keep your promise. kudos.”

– “apparently in today’s society, a promise is not really important. well not the first time, I’m getting used to it anyway.”

Since long ago, I was taught to always keep what I say to others. I was raised to be an honest person; if I can’t keep a promise, I shouldn’t make one. For me, it’s better to say nothing than to mention a promise that cannot be fulfilled.

Therefore, I always strive to keep every word I say to the best of my ability. If I say that I will meet someone on a weekend on Saturday, then I will meet that person on Saturday. If I say that I will arrive at 12:30, I will do my best to arrive as close to 12:30 as possible.

Yes, that’s a normal thing, right? After all, it’s something I’ve stated as a promise, and thus I have the responsibility to ensure that what I say is honest and true.

But it seems that this is not important enough for the people around me. Canceling promises suddenly seems to have become a normal thing. Being late for commitments has become normal. Replacements and apologies have become a habit.

Honestly, sometimes I want to view it cynically: nonsense with all of that. If you can’t keep a promise, don’t make any! If you don’t know what to say, just say nothing!

But that’s how things are, and this situation encompasses many aspects from various places I know: from meetings at work to casual outings, delays or cancellations seem to have become the norm. Is there no one who minds this? I don’t understand.

Sometimes, this makes me impatient: what’s the point of making promises if they can be canceled so easily? Also, since when can an apology from a mobile phone be a cheap bargaining chip?

And no, I don’t accept words like “you’re still very naïve” or “you need to grow up.” For things like that, I always say that it’s just an excuse made up by people who feel they’ve lived longer than I have. Is that not enough? Yes, to hell with adults and their nonsense!

Strangely, I still remain stubborn. I still try to keep everything I have promised. I still arrive on time, I still remember my promises to others — sometimes even when the other person forgets, and in the end, I’m the only one who feels it’s all in vain.

I don’t know, I don’t understand. Maybe what is called a ‘promise’ is not important enough for others, maybe it’s just something that means nothing, maybe I’m just holding onto something that essentially brings no benefit to me at all.

Or maybe, I’m just a bit too stubborn. Or perhaps slightly miseducated; I don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing.

“If we should get separated, just whistle. I’ll come running. I promise.” ― Yuna to Tidus (Final Fantasy X)