If someone ever says to you in conversation, “don’t tell anyone this, but…” that’s a pretty sure sign they won’t be keeping any of your secrets either. Everyone knows someone like this, and usually it’s a person who enjoys knowing all the gossip and, in turn, spreading it.

Unfortunately, I know I’ve been the person to say this in my lifetime as well. Sadly.

The really sad thing about this, is once you’ve said what you’ve said you can’t get it back. The damage is done and the words have been spread. The worst part is that usually, the words are spread just so that person can be seen as “in the know” or having known before everyone else. But I ask you, is it worth it? Is it worth breaking trust and sacrificing relationships to be seen as the one who knows all the gossip before everyone else?

Do you spread other people’s secrets or are you truly someone they can trust? Do you desire to be someone who is trustworthy?

Think about how it makes you feel when someone betrays their promise to you when you’ve asked them to keep something between the two of you. It doesn’t feel very good does it? You trust them less and it weakens your relationship.

Learn to honor your word. Be someone who can be trusted. Be a good friend.