a different order of commitment. We don’t state priorities…
““a different order of commitment. We don’t state priorities when we marry, enter a religious order, or commit our lives to something for the long haul. We take vows. They are of a greater magnitude. We take them in front of others to be witnessed by them and to have their support. We know a vow needs to be made with our whole being, for once decided upon and witnessed, our lives will be profoundly changed. It is a promise given to our selves and to Spirit. A vow can be thought of as a spine. It holds us up. It holds us together. To break it is to break apart. To make a vow is to name the commitment to something or to someone and to the loneliness such a commitment entails. Vows are up to us to keep. No one can live them for us.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Vows are profound, public commitments that shape life and require whole‑hearted dedication.
In simple terms: Vows bind and guide us.
Make and honor deep promises.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- marriage
- religious vows
- career pledges
- personal goals
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What vow would you make today?
- How do you sustain a vow over time?
Vows can be broken under pressure.