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The Power of a Promise Kept . . .

Written By: W. Clement Stone

This old, rather obscure article by inspirational speaker, businessman, and philanthropist, W. Clement Stone still resonates today. In today's world of broken business and personal promises, we felt compelled to include it here ...

"Daddy, you promised to read me a story."

That's what Lou Fink heard his four-year-old son Kent say. It was late Friday evening. Lou had arrived home from the office too late to have dinner with Kent. And Lou hadn't bothered to call Peg. Peg, like thousands of housewives and mothers, had worried while she waited as the minutes, and then the hours, passed by.

"The streets are slippery. He may have had an auto accident. Certainly Lou could have called," Peg thought. Peg didn't like uncertainty, and she didn't like worrying.

But now that Lou was home, he could listen to Kent's prayers and then put him into bed. Peg went to salvage the casserole in the oven while Lou carried Kent to his room.

"Daddy, will you tell me a story?"

"Daddy will tell you a story tomorrow night," Peg called out.

"But Daddy, last night you promised me that you would tell me a story tonight. You promised me."

Lou looked at his son and said, "A promise is a promise, and a deal is a deal. Always remember that, son."

So, Lou began to tell Kent a fairy tale about the importance of keeping a promise, but Kent was tired and fell asleep before the story was finished. Lou tucked the boy in and went out to join his wife at the dinner table.

"A promise is a promise and a deal is a deal," kept flashing through Lou's mind as he and Peg chatted during dinner.

After dinner, Lou leaned back in his chair and said, "Did you know that a promise is a promise and a deal is a deal? And isn't it true that decent people try to live up to their promises to others?"

Peg smiled and listened quietly.

"But what about the promises people make to themselves?" Lou continued. "And what about the New Year's resolutions that people made nine months ago? Just think what wonderful things would have been achieved by those people if they had lived up to those promises as diligently as they live up to their promises to others."

"And yet, aren't promises to one's self just as important? In fact, aren't they even more important than promises made to others?"

"Isn't it true that the difference between success and mediocrity is proportionate to one's ability to live up to promises made to one's self? Every day, people promise themselves that they will exercise more, study hard, stop drinking, be kind to others. And yet, so few of them keep these promises they make to themselves."

Lou's eyes began to well with tears as he turned to look directly at Peg. "And, honey, I made a promise too. And I just discovered that it's really important to me to keep that promise to myself."

Peg looked at Lou and saw that he was serious. Very serious.

"Peg, last New Year's Eve I made a solemn vow to myself. And I promised God that every day of the new year I would try to show my appreciation for the blessings he has given me in you and Kent."

"I promised to make you happy in those little things which I often overlook."

Lou looked directly into his wife's eyes. "Peg, you can count on me to be home in time for dinner in the future. And you know I do keep my promises to others. From now on, however, I will also live up to the promises I make to myself. Should an emergency arise, I will at least telephone you so you won't need to worry. And I know that the reason you worry is because you love me so."

Peg walked around the dinner table, put her arms around Lou and kissed him. And then she confided, "Lou, I made a New Year's promise to myself too. I promised that the next time you came home late without calling, I wouldn't make your life miserable as I had in the past. It was difficult, but tonight I did live up to my promise."

"And Lou, I did discover something . . . It pays to keep one's promise to one's self."