A Promise Undone by Adulthood
During my college days, I interviewed for my very first internship, and I was beyond excited. It felt like a pivotal moment, something I wanted more than anything. In my excitement, I made a promise to God: if I landed the internship, I’d donate 10% of what I earned to those in need. It felt like a small way to give back, and, honestly, the idea made me feel good about myself.
When I got the internship, I kept my word. For the first six months, I donated that 10% religiously.
“No one has ever become poor by giving” Anne Frank’s words often echoed in my mind, reinforcing my resolve.
It felt fulfilling, almost as if I was contributing to something bigger than myself. But, slowly, I started reducing the frequency of my donations. After a while, life got busy, and I stopped altogether. Eventually, the internship ended, and with it, the memory of the promise I’d made to myself faded away.
Fast forward a few months. I’d landed my first permanent job, and the promise I’d made during my internship suddenly resurfaced in my mind. But something had changed. This time, the idea of donating 10% didn’t sit as easily with me. I found myself hesitating, convincing myself that I needed to invest that money for my future. It felt practical, maybe even wise. Yet, a part of me wondered if I had simply become too attached to my earnings — greedier, perhaps.
I think it also has something to do with taxes. Every time I saw a big chunk of my income going to the government, I couldn’t shake the thought that I was already “donating” a significant portion, albeit not voluntarily, and definitely without seeing any direct personal benefit. Maybe that was just an excuse, a way to justify why I wasn’t keeping my promise. But the truth is, it’s something I still wrestle with — wondering if I’ve let the pressures of adulthood cloud the values I once held so firmly.
Share any stories where adulthood forced you to compromise your childhood values, leaving you feeling uneasy or conflicted.