Mantua – We each make promises constantly, but how many of them do we actually honor? “Sure, I’ll be there.” “I can do it.” If we don’t follow through, what’s is the impact of a broken promise? More importantly, what kind of power is unleashed when a promise is honored? These are some of the thoughts shared with students in grades seven through twelve at Crestwood High School last week by Alex Sheen, founder of the Because I Said I Would charitable organization.
Sheen began by sharing a story. “My father was an average man. He was no war hero. He never wrote a book. He never ran marathons. He was a pharmacist — No recognition. No fame,” He continued, “But for everything that made my father “average” and “everyday,” there was one thing he did exceptionally well. He kept his promises. My father was a man of his word.”
As a tribute to the man who inspired him, Alex handed out the first promise cards at his father’s funeral, encouraging all those in attendance to write down a promise they planned to keep. He instructed them to give the card to the person it impacts, and to reclaim the card after the promise has been fulfilled. Soon after, he offered to send 10 blank promise cards to anyone who contacted him, at no charge, as a way to honor his dad and show the impact that one individual can make in the world.
Recognizing the impact, Sheen has made some of his own promises, as well. Troubled by the news stories of three women held captive for 10 years in his hometown of Cleveland, he promised to walk 245 miles across the state of Ohio in 10 days to raise awareness and funds for the survivors, and to prove to them and himself that there are still good people in the world. Next, Sheen pledged to volunteer at 52 different nonprofit organizations — one each week in a single year.
Initially, Because I Said I Would was something Sheen did after work, but as the movement progressed, the demand increased. Receipt of an anonymous letter, sent through interoffice mail at the Fortune 500 software company where he worked, gave him the courage to quit his job and pursue the charitable organization fulltime. As way of explanation, he shared that letter with his boss to help explain the impact of his newly formed organization. The hand-written note shared the anonymous writer’s original plan of suicide, but ended with their promise, “I will not give up.” That note reinforced the importance of the cause, giving Sheen the courage to set aside his six-figure income to pursue the movement fulltime. Ironically, Sheen learned in that moment that his boss’s daughter had authored the letter.
Since handing out those first cards, Sheen has been amazed how simple cards, and the promises they represent, have impacted more people that he ever imagined. Since 2012, Because I Said I Would has distributed 9.81 million cards to people in 153 countries. Sheen has been featured on the Today Show, CNN, and Fox News; he’s given numerous TED Talks as well.
After Sheen spoke at CHS, Principal Dave McMahon addressed students, noting, “How you walk away from this is up to you.” He asked them each to consider what they might do today to help create a better tomorrow, something worthy of consideration for us all.
Afterward, several students shared their thoughts on the presentation. Trinity shared her plan to not take anything for granted. Jimmy noted, “It opened my eyes — there’s a lot of bad in life, but there’s also a lot of good that we can do.” He continued, “Even though I’m one person, I can make a difference.” Myranda agreed, sharing, “Bad stuff happens to everyone, but you’ve got to keep pushing through.”
Because I Said I Would is a 501 C-3 organization based in Rocky River, Ohio. BISIW hosts character development programs in schools and correctional facilities around the country, teaching people of all ages and all walks of life the powerful practice of making and keeping promises. The group has plans to host summer camp events in the near future as well.
Find out more about Because I Said I Would at becauseisaidiwould.org, on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.
