Campaign Promises

Did you hear the joke about the politician?

.... So, a politician recently died. He was a flip flopper, so he hadn't yet decided whether or not he would go to heaven or hell. After attending his own funeral, he was then escorted by Saint Paul to visit heaven. When he arrived he was welcomed at the pearly white gates by beautiful angels playing harps and trumpets.


"This is nice" the politician thought. Attempting to walk further, St. Paul warned, "You can not go in the pearly white gates unless you are prepared to stay."


"On second thought" the politician said, "Perhaps I should visit hell before I make my final decision."


"Very well" said St. Paul and escorted him back to Earth.


The politician was then greeted by a well dressed man in a three piece designer suit. Shaking his hand and patting him on the back, the gentlemen welcomed the politician eagerly. "Much better than that silly white robe" the politician thought.


The well dressed man then showed the politician the way to hell. As they entered the gates, he was amazed to see nothing but green grass. "I'm standing on a golf course!" the politician stated excitedly.


"Well of course you are! We aim to please in hell!"


The politician walked all around hell. He saw men smoking cigars, hot tubs to relax in on every corner and any sport he would ever dream to watch on big screen TVs. After spending a day in hell, the politician felt like he had made up his mind.


He returned to Earth, where he sat in front of his judges.


"Have you decided where you would like to spend eternity?"


"Yes!" the politician said eagerly. "I am happy to support hell and go there for eternity."


"Very well, then." said the judges and the politician was quickly rushed back to hell.


But, this time, there was no green grass, no golf course, and no hot tubs!!


Shocked, the politician cried, "You lied to me!! Where is everything that was promised?"


"Oh" the gentleman said with a smile. "That was just a campaign promise!"

I am hearing the drum the roll in my head!!


One thing we always question, and rightly so with politicians, is if we are being told false promises to only receive a vote. I start to get the uneasy feeling that I am being used around election time. Are we really going to vote on someone based on promises to lure us into the campaign? We have no choice, from what I can tell. We have to put our faith in the canditate we choose and pray that they make the best decisions for our country.


What about you? Do you tell people things they want to hear only to have them "on your side" or to like you?

On this issue, I have definitely been guilty. A "people pleaser" by nature, my one unconscious goal in the past was to have everyone like me. And when I felt the slightest bit of discomfort in a relationship, I would work extra hard to prove to my acquaintance that I was likable and pleasing. I would avoid opportunities to disagree and "followed the pack" to prove how easily I could get along with others. Where did it get me? Extra stress and little self respect. I was trying for the impossible!


I learned that having everyone "like" me is not only impossible, improbable and implausible... but, it wasn't very desirable in the end.

Diversity makes life interesting!


Hearing another's point of view makes debates fun and opens the door for a chance to learn new information and develop relationships.


On this Super Tuesday, practice living an authentic life. Be who you are without apologies. Avoiding molding into what you think others expect. Most importantly, don't make false promises! Say "yes" when you mean "yes" and "no" when you mean "no". This is the key to integrity. Living your life authentically will allow you to respect the autonomy of others. Don't make false promises, show people who you are and stand by your commitments!