For some people, I've noticed, saying you are going to do something feels just as good as actually doing it. How can we understand these promise-breakers, whose intentions start out both genuine and admirable, but who never seem to act on them?

Commitment is not about finding the perfect circumstance; it's about dictating a certain choice. It's not about making the right decision; it's about making a decision and then making it right.

The promises we make speak volumes about who we are. Whether your promise is as casual as committing to your partner that you'll eat better foods or as serious as eliminating abusive behavior, the promises we make -- to ourselves and others -- have tremendous power.