May 4: Official 'Unofficial' Make a Promise Day

May 4 is the official "Make a Promise Day" in Westchester thanks to a Yorktown proclamation.

The town of Yorktown unanimously adopted a resolution on Feb.15 proclaiming May 4, 2011, and each year thereafter, to be "Make a Promise Day," which encourages people to turn important goals into heartfelt promises, thereby increasing the probability of reaching them.

(May 4 -- May The Fourth Be With You!) said it is the "only unofficial ‘holiday’ dedicated to personal empowerment, goal achievement and integrity enhancement."

“This proclamation by the Westchester County Executive--Robert Astorino-- underscores the power and the appeal of this Make A Promise idea,” said Cossolotto, Yorktown resident, author, and guest speaker. “I’m thrilled because it means people here in Westchester and beyond will learn about ‘Make A Promise Day’ and the power of making a promise.”

Astorino said he encourages organizations and individual members of the community to celebrate the day in a manner they deem to be suitable and appropriate. 

Cossolotto made a promise to his mother on her deathbed at her home in Gasquet, Cali. that he would finish writing a book he had been discussing with her, get it published, and dedicate it to her memory. And he did. The resulting book, complete with Cossolotto’s dedication to his mother, is HabitForce! How to Kick the Habits of FAILURE and Adopt the Habits of SUCCESS. 

The last big promise he made, he said, was during a radio interview. 

"The host (Norm Lapalme) asked if I would be willing to make a public promise that I would turn Make A Promise Day and the power of making a promise into something this is widely recognized around the world," he said. "I made that promise publicly last summer and I have since added to [it] somewhat by promising to share the power of making a promise with millions of people around the world."

Cossolotto wants people to think about what goals or dreams they have for their lives and to go after them.

Cossolotto offered up a few good examples:

• Nancy Brinker, author of Promise Me and founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, promised her sister and breast cancer victim Suzy that she would help find a cure.

• Bill Clinton made a promise to Chelsea that he would watch his diet and take care of his health.

• Oprah Winfrey made a promise to Nelson Mandela that she would build a school for girls in South Africa.

• NBC’s Al Roker made a promise to his dying father that he would deal with his weight issues.

He said he wants to receive uplifting stories people have about promises made and kept in their lives. People can send his their promise stories to: Matthew.Promises@Gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter and on Facebook.

What promises have you made that you would like to follow up on? Tell us in the comments section below.