No Promises?

If someone makes you a promise, you expect them to keep it—that’s the hallmark of a promise. It’s your guarantee that a specific event will or won’t occur. Promise fulfillment depends on surrounding issues and the abilities of the person who makes the promise. Despite our best intentions, uncontrollable situations often prevent us from keeping them. Watch how this ends:

                                     https://youtu.be/YTfhaCOgzVQ

Smart girl. She knew her limitations. Most promises involve a high degree of serious intensity. We usually make them at important events like in front of before wedding officials or judges at swearing-in ceremonies. Unfortunately, based on the success rate of marriages and the current political news, some of those promises are difficult to keep. Whose promises do you trust?      

A Whistle, A Siren, And A Waltz?

I’m sitting on the couch anticipating the shriek. I barely get a warning. One minute I’m waiting, and the next minute a squeal pierces the silence. I leap up and grab the tea kettle from the stove, hoping to prevent the whistling from waking the rest of the family.

Have you ever noticed how easily situations can catch you off-guard? For instance, picture yourself driving through your community enjoying the serenity of a sunny day. Before you know it, a wailing police car’s siren warns you to move to the side of the road. If you’re fortunate, the car speeds by to deal with a crisis that doesn’t involve you. We expect some events, like weddings, to progress in predictable ways. We think we know what’s coming next, except in cases like this:

                                         http://youtu.be/qJ0ndF5G6iU

Ha! Bet you didn’t anticipate that kind of performance. Now that’s a wedding moment the guests will never forget. Even common events like whistling kettles, wailing sirens and a waltzing father and daughter can catch us off-guard.  Sometimes ordinary situations change and topple our natural expectations.  What has surprised you?