What is an asset?
An asset, is something that add value to your life or the world around you. Usually people think of an asset as a monetary value but when it comes to your word the asset is more of a personal value that is added to your character. It is something that gives you as a person more value to yourself and to others.
What words did I know as a child?
As a child, I grew up never knowing if things were going to feel safe or not. Having an alcoholic dad there was a lot of chaos 
in the home with screaming words of anger. Looking forward to moments with family members got more and more difficult as time passed. Holidays with family and then the extended family were uncomfortable because my father was always drunk and my mother was always angry. It was a constant roller-coaster ride and I was always on edge waiting to get off.
Sundays were pretty standard in our house, dad would drop us off at church and he would go to his favorite place to have a couple while we were in church. My mother would be home making Sunday dinner and if I were lucky it was roast beef with mushroom gravy. Now dad’s couple always left us to walk home from church and my mother calling the bar for hours trying to get my father home for dinner. This was an early warning that a person’s word meant very little and can always be broken.
As life went on and we all grew up lying was pretty easy to do. See when you learn early on that saying something doesn’t mean that you have to do it then making excuses and breaking promises were part of life. I never wanted to be the person that would lie to her kids about where I was and what I was doing so I avoided having them until I was 21, which is still pretty young. After having my son, I wanted my words to be kind and honest with him. As time went by and my son grew I was beginning to feel confused with the truths and the lies. Life became more and more difficult to even know what the truth was and my word was not worth anything.
I recall telling myself in the morning when I woke up that I would stay straight that day and before noon that word was broken. Then I would tell myself that I would not yell or get angry but I always lost my cool because I was so full of self loathing I hated myself and everything around me. I remember lying to my husband about where I was and I lied to my employer about why I was late. Life was becoming one huge lie after another. When you are living your life this way you really can’t tell the truth from a lie anymore. You get so good at lying that you believe everything you say.
I was at an emotional and financial bottom and yes a physical one too. I was at the point where I was so desperate that I could finally start to listen and do the right thing. I began to live an honest life and I started to make new friends that lived an honest life also. At this point in my life I was no longer able to speak untruths and I was so grateful for this. Then a gentleman I knew said “our word is our greatest asses” to me and I knew exactly what he meant.
Why is your word so important in life?
For so many years my word was nothing to myself and anyone that was in my life. Knowing that when I say something it is the truth is so freeing and the idea of not being haunted by the lying boogie man is such a beautiful way to live. Today if I tell you I wll be there then you can bet that I will be. If I tell my kids I will do something for or with them then know it will happen. Most importantly, if I tell myself that I am going to do something then I do it. So, when I say to you that your word is your greatest asset it is the greatest gift that you can give to yourself.
Make a promise to yourself that you will always honor your word and you will see how amazing the world will respond to you. When you fulfill the promise to yourself you will then be able to fulfill promises to others. It’s much like love yourself first and then love will be all around you. So just for today keep that promise you made when you opened your eyes in the morning. At the end of the day if you were successful and you will be then be grateful that you gave yourself this gift. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
Don Miguel Ruiz writes about the Toltec Wisdom in his book The Four Agreements the four principles to live by and the first one has to do with your word being your greatest asset. It states, “Be Impeccable With Your Word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.” I find this wisdom to be a very honorable way to live and when you are impeccable with your word then there is no worry about hurting yourself or others.
