Commitment

Let us talk about giving up and commitment.

People who do not make that step to commit to each other will consider as an option giving up when their relationship, whatever relationship that might be, runs onto the rocks. They would think lets take whatever possession on this sinking ship is mine, grab a lifeboat, jump overboard, and row for shore.

That is giving up. But it is forgivable, since no commitment was made. It might be a waste, but it is ok.

People who do commit do not shun or scare away from what might unfold. Once they decide to commit, when the ship runs on the rocks, they do not consider as an option giving up the relationship. They identify the ways to resolve the issue, and together, move the ship off the rocks, patch the holes, and continue on their way.

That is commitment. The promise to each other to stay together and accept each other, whatever surprises might be thrown their way, provided neither party wrongs the other party unacceptably morally.

However, if the water is coming in too fast and the ship is sinking too fast regardless, they HAVE to consider the possibility that perhaps the holes are too big, cannot be patched and to stay on trying to patch the rapidly incoming water is folly that will doom them both and increase their chances of doom the longer they stay.

If they decide to bail out and give up on the ship (relationship, pun unintended), then when is it giving up, and when is it wisely recognizing signs that shows that it really is a doomed exercise destined for failure?

Does commitment mean staying on and bailing and fighting until the ship is in the water and there is confirmedly no hope and the water is up to their chins, or is that foolishness? When is it not foolish to consider or to actually bail out then?

Bottom line: a commitment is a commitment