What does WORD have to do with LOVE and COFFEE
Keeping your word isn’t just about following through on commitments, it’s about the impact it has on your relationships, your confidence, and your ability to create a life filled with trust and integrity. Sometimes, the smallest promises can change everything.
A Story of Keeping Your Word
After my divorce, I was determined to never rush into marriage again. I set boundaries for myself, one year of dating, my parents’ approval, rules that I believed would help me make the right decision. But I was exhausted from dating and had just decided to take a break when my sister called.
She had the perfect guy for me. I wasn’t interested. But after some persistence, I agreed to just one cup of coffee. That’s it. One cup. Nothing more.
She handed him the phone, and I felt ambushed. We exchanged a few words, and before hanging up, he asked, “What time should I call you?” I replied, “10 o’clock.” I barely thought about it afterward.
That evening, I went to yoga, had dinner with my cousin, and got home late, completely forgetting about our call. But when I checked my answering machine (this was before cell phones, of course), there it was: a message from a payphone on the side of the road.
“I said I’d call at 10,” he said, “I’m not back at my hotel yet, but I wanted to make sure I called you when I said I would. I’ll call again later.”
I had never experienced something like that before, someone saying something and fulfilling on it with absolute precision. It struck me in a way I wasn’t expecting. That level of integrity stood out. It showed me something rare, something I wanted more of in my life.
We spoke for two hours that night. Two hours the next. We met on May 21st, 1994 and now, 31 years and 18 million cups of coffee later, we’re still here. (BTW our 30th wedding anniversary was YESTERDAY!)
Another cup of coffee
Why This Matters
Keeping your word isn’t just about doing what you say, it’s about who you become when your words and actions align. It builds confidence, trust, and a deep sense of reliability. And it impacts those around you more than you might realize.
When Michael called me exactly when he said he would, it wasn’t just a phone call, it was a reflection of his character. It was an example of how trust is built, not in grand gestures, but in the smallest, most consistent ways.
Reflection:
Where in your life are you keeping your word effortlessly? And where are you negotiating with it? What impact is that having on your confidence and relationships?
Try This:
- Identify One Small Promise. Choose something simple, whether it’s showing up on time, following through on a task, or checking in with a friend.
- Honor It No Matter What. Treat it as non-negotiable and notice how it shifts your confidence and the trust others have in you.
- Observe the Ripple Effect. Pay attention to how keeping your word, even in small ways, strengthens your relationships and self-trust.
Trust isn’t built overnight. It’s created moment by moment, promise by promise. Be the person who follows through, not just for others, but for yourself.