Truth Be Told

As a child I constantly remember receiving empty promises from my parents. Especially the one where they promised me that if I got all A’s for an entire year that they would take me to Six Flags: Magic Mountain. The year went by and I got all A’s but I am still waiting for that trip to Six Flags. That taught me the lesson that being lied to sucks. That is why I believe in always being true to my word.

The hollow words that I was fed as a child not only came from my parents but from most adults who ultimately wanted to shut up the rowdy child that I was. Looking back I can see now that not only was the words empty, so were the lives of the people telling them to me. Seeing that in the people around me I began to wonder if that is the life and the legacy that I want to leave behind. I didn’t, so I decided say what I mean and to live a life as pure and honest as my words. As of this time in my life, living as a man of my word has been one of the toughest challenges that I have placed before me. Even though it has been a constant test of my commitment and willpower my life has been all the better because of it.

I now have a respect of the power of words and I treat each sentence as a precious item that must be carefully forged within my mind. Now when I make a promise to another I will go to all lengths to keep my word in order so that they don’t feel the same pain I felt as a child when my elders lied to me. Also seeing their faces light up once they have realized that I did not lie makes it all worth it. One of the most pleasurable benefits of me living true to my words is that it has given more meaning to my life. Keeping my word gives me a purpose and a mission. It also keeps me from wandering aimlessly through life as just another nobody lost in the crowd.

At this point in my life I do not have the credibility that years in the real world or in the work place provide. I am ultimately still just a kid who lacks real world experience. What I do have though is my word. A Russian proverb states, “With lies you may get ahead in the world, but you can never go back.” I may be adept enough at spinning empty world to get ahead in life but once the time comes for me to act upon those words they will just be hollow statements that will act as testaments as to what a fraud I am. That is why when I say something I mean it and I will not go back on my word. Because of this when the time comes for me to rely upon my credibility I will have already established my integrity and others will know me by it. Hopefully by living true to my word I will lead a fulfilling life and avoid the sorrow of letting people down.