What does it mean to be a people of commitment? That is the question we are encouraged to ask ourselves this month.

As individuals we have made commitments to our families, to our work, even to ourselves. As members of organizations, we have made commitments to be supportive, to uphold certain values and goals. As Members and Friends of UUCP we have made all these kinds of commitments. Over the last year, in the face of a pandemic, we have committed ourselves to our own health, to the health of our families, friends, and even strangers. We have committed to do our best to keep our congregation healthy and thriving through unimagined challenges.

As we continue to make our way through unknown territory, I share these words from Soul Matters regarding the benefit of keeping our commitments.

Huge payoffs come when we keep our commitments. Maintaining loyalty to healthy habits not only lengthens our lives but enriches them. Faithfully following through on our relationship commitments allows us to fully realize ourselves as the interdependent creatures we are, as well as increasing just about every metric of happiness, meaning and success out there. And keeping the promises we make to ourselves ultimately gives us the strength, groundedness, and self-confidence needed to follow through on all those promises we make to those around us.

 Soul Matters gives us a few other questions to consider regarding commitment. Here are some examples:

• Do responsibilities and commitments drain you or motivate you? Do they give your life direction or leave you feeling tied down and hemmed in?
• It’s been said that our very humanity lies in the way we carry out our promises. How have you made yourself more human through a promise?
• Are you keeping a commitment that is limiting your growth? Keeping you in a cage?
• Has society ever broken its promise to you?

Joining a Soul Matters Theme Circle gives you the opportunity to consider questions such as these within a covenanted group committed to a practice of listening to each other, the world, and our deepest selves. You’ll find more information about Theme Circles on page 7 of the March newsletter. I hope you will consider joining the conversation.

In Love and Hope,

Rev. Alice