Ensure your word and commitment are binding

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2: Sometimes do you ever wonder why people volunteer to do a task and then simply not do it?

Why would they commit to something and then drop it like it’s hot when the time to actually carry out their verbal commitment arrives.

In my opinion this borders on lying. If you know that your nature is shallow and unreliable, then simply do not volunteer to commit your services in the first place.

The only thing one can be supported on is their word and if one’s word becomes baseless then it is a problem for the people around you.

The world as we see it today was built mainly on the actions of committed people.

Charity stemmed from commitment.

What exactly is commitment? The dictionary explains it to be: 1) Responsibility — something that takes up time or energy, especially an obligation; 2) loyalty — devotion or dedication, eg. to a cause, person or relationship; 3) previously planned engagement — a planned arrangement or activity that cannot be avoided.

There is more, but the above gets the gist of the meaning of commitment.

In essence, if one’s word cannot be relied upon, it accounts to merely lip service.

We must begin to make the concept of commitment into a reality.

A commitment really is a trust and we all know how important trust is.

It seems the folks of a few generations ago knew the full and complete meaning of commitment, of which they adhered to wholeheartedly.

We have sadly laid to rest a wonderful, hardworking and — without a doubt -— committed member of our society.

This lady gallantly served humanity as we are asked to do; she served with dignity and passion.

Mrs Winifred M G Nisbett epitomized commitment.

 Mrs Nisbett worked without tiring to the many organizations she served.

From the senior citizens groups to the Bermuda Reading Association she did it with unrelentless dignity.

I remember she tagged for the Bermuda Reading Association’s first tag day. On my relieving her shift, she kindly allowed me to keep her chair whilst I tagged.

When I went to return it a day later, I learnt that she had been air-ambulanced overseas for medical attention.

That was her, committed no matter what!

The truth is, demonstrating commitment is hard work.

I mentioned at the beginning that not keeping to one’s commitment is akin to not telling the truth, such as wavering commitment is usually seen as no commitment at all.

We must be steadfast in our commitment and committed to the long haul.

The only way to achieve a reputation for commitment is through determination and persistence.

Genuine commitment stands the test of time.

Commitment in one’s character is beautiful, which all who knew Mrs Nisbett could attest to.

It would behoove us all to take a page out of Mrs Nisbett’s book.

Mrs Nisbett may not be here in body, but you can rest assured that she is here with us through her beautiful spirit and the wonderful deeds that we will remember with love and fondness. Gone, but never forgotten.

Mrs Winifred Nisbett, we love you and will miss you, but you have left a wonderful and honourable legacy to follow.

It will be hard, but we’ll do our utmost to follow through, just as you did.

Commitment is to have self-dignity; to wish your words and actions to be taken seriously and with trust. I admire committed persons — they are on the top of my list.

Denis Waitley said that: “Losers make promises they often break. Winners make commitments they always keep.”

Mrs Nisbett was indeed a winner through and through; having fought the good fight and run the good race and without a doubt kept the faith.

Our dear Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was a committed man; a man of integrity, a man of his word.

He encouraged his followers to be committed and upright.

He taught that your honesty should be binding.

In other words, when one gives their word, one is duty bound to carry through with one’s promise.

By so doing, a person attains a high degree of dependability and people trust him and feel secure in dealing with him.

Allah Almighty will reward you for your honesty through your commitments.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “He has little faith the one who has no trust, and there is no religion for the one who does not fulfill his promises. (reported by Ahmad).