Loyalty is a Key to Success

Since I was a little kid, loyalty has been hammered into my head. Through life, I have given my loyalty to many people, ideas, and projects, some deserved it and some did not. I am just now realizing loyalty needs to be returned, if only in a small way.

You know the saying that it takes two to make a relationship work? I haven’t always “gotten” that concept. For example, with my best friend, I have been the one who has done most of the calling, writing, or visiting while she does very little except for the moment. I have no doubt she loves me, but I am the worker bee. When we are together, we laugh, talk, and have a wonderful time.

One day something snapped in my heart, and I needed to tell her I felt like our relationship was only in existence because of my work. I was terrified as to what her response would be. Surprisingly, she admitted I was right. For a while, she was much better, but it eventually trickled down because life has a way of interfering but this time it was because both of our lives had commitments and demands that neither of us could drop. The mutual understanding with her is so refreshing and has made us even closer.

I have also spent much time giving my loyalty to an idea. Faith and loyalty have always gone hand-in-hand. One cannot be faithful to something or someone where there is no loyalty involved. My faith in God and His Word have gotten me through many rough spots in life and have taken me to soaring heights that otherwise would not have been possible without Him. He has always been faithful to me, and sometimes I did not deserve it. There have been times I did not see His purpose, but He never fails to be loyal to me when my faith is waning. He continually works to maintain our relationship,

Because of my strong beliefs in loyalty, even the minor issues in life are given attention. I find it hard not to finish a book, even if I don’t like it. I believe there is value in everything we do and something to be gained. As a wife, mom, and teacher, I have been faced with many difficult projects and without my deep-seated loyalty, I would have quit when it became too hard.

Helping other women with problems while our husbands, sons, and daughters were deployed to Iraq was a difficult task. Even though there were times when I needed a shoulder and did not get one, I stuck it out for the sake of those women who were having a hard time and did not vent my complaints or needs. What worth would there have been in remaining loyal to my husband by acting on his behalf if I had fallen into every negative situation that arose out of that time? What would those women have gained if I had not shown them loyalty by “always being there” for them? My loyalty to the women who were in the same boat helped me more than having a shoulder to cry on.

Helping my children as they grow and try to make right decisions is a difficult job, too, because they do not always want my advice or think they need me, if anyone can imagine THAT! Working through the pain of a child’s rejection is difficult, but being older and “wiser” helps me keep perspective even if my feelings do get hurt. Being their loyal supporter through times of defeat and times of triumph has hopefully shown them an example of loyalty, which is one of the greatest gifts I can give them. It also shows them that there are ups and downs in life, but loyalty to one’s self to keep going will help get you through.

This attitude of unconditional love and loyalty spills over into my profession as a teacher. So many times it would have been easier to throw my hands up and forget it, but I love my students and see their worth in their diversities. Planning for classes, encouraging a kid who doesn’t like to read or do homework, or showing a disrespectful student respect in a time when I would rather shake the student has been hard, but remembering my purpose and that I am the adult gets me through.

In these cases and others in life, I think of the saying, “Give respect, get respect,” which brings me to what my mother taught me from my first memories, the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” These sayings and truths play a major part in being loyal to others and to seeing things through to the end, no matter what the end may bring.