Pledges Over the Years

The very first pledge I ever learned was in grade school. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all."

Followed by the Girl Scout Pledge: "On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law."

I took great pride in reciting The Florence Nightingale Pledge: "I solemnly pledge myself before God and in the presence of this assembly, to pass my life in purity and to practice my profession faithfully. I will abstain from whatever is deleterious and mischievous, and will not take or knowingly administer any harmful drug. I will do all in my power to maintain and elevate the standard of my profession, and will hold in confidence all personal matters committed to my keeping and all family affairs coming to my knowledge in the practice of my calling. With loyalty will I endeavor to aid the physician in his work, and devote myself to the welfare of those committed to my care."

At the tender age of 22, I recited, "I take you to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and, in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, and thereto I pledge you my faith and love."

Now thanks to Oprah I pledge: Today, I commit to my home, my family and myself that I will live my best life. To do this, for the next six months I will become an active member of Oprah’s Clean Up Your Messy House Tour. I will work with my family to create a vision for the life and the home that we want. With enthusiasm and focus, I will declutter my home, room by room, using the tools, techniques and schedule provided by Peter Walsh and Oprah.com. I commit to focusing on the quality of my life and my relationships, not the quantity of stuff I own. From this day forward, I commit to myself, my home and my family to a clutter-free and organized life.

I think this last promise may be the most difficult to fulfill.