Often times we tend to not keep to our words when given and it's not because we don't want to keep to our promise but rather because of some unforeseen circumstances that takes over and overwhelmes you. A promise made is always meant to be kept, because when you promise someone something, that person tend to hold on to your word believing, anticipating and waiting for the fulfillment of that promise and when its not fulfilled, then you become a bad person.
If am correct, there is a saying that says"Your words are your bond", so your word should carry value most especially if it is a promise and unless there is concrete reason that lead to you not keeping your word, don't break a promise made. In my life I have tried as much as possible not to make unnecessary promises especially if I see that I won't be able to keep it at all. There was a time I faced the backlash of failing to fulfil a promise I made even though I had a concrete reason for breaking that promise but still it fell on deaf ears.
I have this close friend of mine whom I have known for a long time now and we're cool, one day I took my phone and called her around February last year since it's been awhile that we spoke because back then she was still in school and the school environment where she stays has abit of network challenge, but luckily that day, the call connected on the first attempt and she answered, when she heard my voice and confirmed that I was the one, she was very excited saying she's very happy to hear from me after a long time and that her phone was stolen so she had to welcome back her sim card and lost some contacts as a result but she was very happy to hear from me after awhile. We spoke on the phone for a long time, catching up on things that has past and the current situations and then she said I must come for her graduation because she wants to see me. I asked her when was the graduation and she told me the date, then I said I won't be able to make it because that month there was a work I have to go for thou the date was not set yet but I don't want to get her hopes up just incase the work date falls on the same date as her graduation but she insisted.
She insisted saying I had to choose between coming for her graduation or birthday, putting me in a tight spot and because of that pressure, I promised to come for her graduation instead because her birthday was just weeks away and I knew definitely there was no chance for me to come and since she doesn't want to listen to any excuse at that moment I had to compromise abit. Her graduation came and I wasn't able to make it because of work so I called to inform her and apologise but she did not pick my call, I called three more times but still no answer and i decided to call later in the night since i was very busy. I couldn't call back again till the next day and she didn't pick till the third time and what I heard over the phone was an angry voice asking me what happened, further saying I deceived her and made her believed I was truly coming when it was all a lie.
It took almost forever to let her understand why I couldn't make it and even though she understood, she still chose to blame me for breaking my promise and after that everything went smoothly. Since that incident, I decided to never allow myself to be pressured into making a promise that I will not fulfill even though it wasn't intentional.
Thank you for your time