Commitment

Commitment ---- this word has really become an interesting word in today's society.

Webster defines it as an agreement or pledge to do something in the future ; especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date

The definition of pledge is a binding promise or agreement

In the old days a pledge or an agreement meant something. It was your word of honor and short of death you wouldn't break your word. It meant something. Your reputation was at stake. And reputations meant something (that too is something that seems to have changed). People actually did business based on someone's word and it was sealed with a handshake. Now if it isn't in writing, it means nothing. People really don't put any real emphasis on commitments - if things change and other things come up - breaking a prior commitment is okay. It is suppose to be understood that things happen and everything is flexible based on the whim of the moment. But should it be okay? Shouldn't commitments be honored anymore? This topic has been on my mind lately. I have noticed a disturbing trend of commitments not being honored and society viewing it as totally acceptable to break a commitment at the very last minute. Certainly, commitments are not viewed as pledges - where a pledge is defined as a binding promise or agreement. There is nothing binding about something that a person views as 'flexible, and able to be cancelled with little to no notice at the last moment.'