Jamie: I will always have your back. If you fall behind, I will wait up.
Eddie: I will earn your respect and pay you respect every day we have.
Jamie: I’ll be your scout, your night watchman, your cavalry.
Eddie: Your medic, your chaplain in our army of two.
Jamie: No retreat, no surrender. You can count on me.
Eddie: You can count on me.
I really enjoy the CBS show “Blue Bloods.” It depicts the multi-generational lives of a police family. The show highlights the ups and downs associated with the professional and personal parts of the very tight Reagans. Recognizing that this is a fictional presentation, it still serves to identify key components of successful relationships, whether family or otherwise.
This week I identify the marriage vows exchanged on the show by Jamie and Eddie. I love these expressions of commitment because of their action orientation and the focus on what each individual is in total control of doing. “I will! I will! I will!”
All of this begs the question, “What can people count on from you?” In your various relationships, at work, home or just in your daily interactions? What are you committed to doing? How are you committed to being?
The characters in Blue Bloods have problems, face challenges and personal conflicts as we all do. Their responses, however, are what we can all strive for. Responses built on a foundation of the non-negotiable relationship characteristics of individual respect and action. This verbalization in vows also allows and expects challenges when statements or behaviors are not aligned. Awesome! Are people comfortable in holding you accountable when what you say and do conflict with what you have committed to? How receptive are you to those challenges?
“You can count on me!” To do what? To be what? In these especially difficult times, as well as in all times, people are looking for rocks on which to stand. What vows have you taken? Whether inside your family or out, give the people whom you interact with something they can consistently count on.
Enjoy the journey!