by Kimberly Bauer

Created on: April 02, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

When I think about giving a pledge to humanity I wonder, should that pledge be to the current human beings walking on our planet? Should I promise to keep my peace? Should I vow to follow the norm? And then I think - no. Not to those who have a blind eye to the future and only care about what is before them. My pledge is to the future, and I say it with conviction and hope that it will make a difference.

I promise to my children that I will do what is right. I will be fair and I will be kind. I will do my best to give them a positive outlook in this crumbling world. I will teach them to love this planet and I will teach them to love each other. Through my example they will learn to be self-sufficient and self-reliant, but at the same time will allow themselves to depend on those that they care about and who care about them. I will trust them to go out into the world when their time comes and make a difference.... and if that difference is big or small I will know that they will have done it because it was the right thing to do.

I promise to the earth that I will do what is right and within my power to do. I will encourage others to do the same. I will live "green", conserving energy and water and recycle and use recycled goods. I will do what is right, because it makes sense. I will treat this earth with respect because it is the only home that we have.

In this world of war and anger I pledge to be a voice of kindness and compassion. I will love with an open heart and I will be a friend to those in need. I will not judge my fellow man for what he/she has or doesn't have but I will view all by how they treat others. And I will hold myself to that standard by treating all people with respect and consideration.

The most important pledge that I will make on this day will be a pledge to myself. I will not rush through this life quickly going from one thing to the next without taking the time to see where I have been. I will walk in the park and hike in the woods. I will plant flowers and I will watch them grow. I will take time everyday to appreciate the gifts that I have been given - my daughters, my husband, my dogs, my brothers and sisters, my friends. I will enjoy the rain as much as I enjoy the sunshine. I will laugh and I will cry. I will experience everything that this life has to offer and I will never regret a moment of it. I promise that I will live each day to the fullest with the total understanding that I will never get the chance to live this day again. I will love with my heart wide open. I will accept whatever comes my way with grace and dignity. I will accept with complete responsibility the consequences of my actions - good or bad. And most of all I pledge to hold my head high and be proud of who I am.

Learn more about this author, Kimberly Bauer.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.