Commitment v. Devotion--Food for Thought

aribell

formerly nicola.kirwan
A blogger that I've been reading writes about leaving behind this idea of a Mr. Right for the idea of a Mr. Good Enough. He tells women to focus on a man's devotion to her (instead of just commitment) to determine whether he has the potential to become "Mr. Right."

I was really curious about the supposed difference between "commitment" and "devotion." So, here are some interesting quotes from wwnh.wordpress.com:

♀♂ Women reject this truism for making marriage work: Before marriage he should prove himself worthy of her. That is, she makes him the seller and her the buyer. He peddles all his strengths, and she evaluates his character and likelihood of delivery on his promises. After marriage, she keeps herself worthy of him. That is, she becomes the seller and peddles rewards for his husbanding and fathering.
--206. Female Malpractice No. 5


Women seek commitment with a man, even as they turn away another man devoted to them. In short, women want a man that turns them on early in life, but later they want something else. They marry, divorce, and finally end up with a high school chum that used to adore or even worship them.
--13. Is Commitment Enough?


Theirs will be temporary, if she talks him into any kind of relationship. [7]
--386. Keepers for Keepers


Crowned as Mr. Right and conqueror before he earns it with devotion, his conquering spirit is released to look elsewhere. It’s his nature, and only his devotion to someone keeps it in check. [10]
--582. Keepers for Keepers



‘Good enough’ opens the door to finding devotion instead of just commitment. Maybe not her devotion to him but his to her, and that’s more important for fulfilling her hopes and dreams.

--362. Mr. Good Enough


Don’t take or show any interest until a man shows interest in her. Permanency grows in his heart from his working hard to win her. His accomplishments that become habitual are much more meaningful to a man than unearned gifts.
637. She’s Interested, He’s Not, No.3


Jack becomes Mr. Right in three steps: First, his Jill picks him more for husbanding and fathering potential than being ‘right’. Second, she shows gratitude for his providing, protecting, etc. Third, she coaches him into good husbanding and fathering. Her successes elevate him to Mr. Right, if he’s to get there.
♂ Jack is obvious. Commitment you hear, devotion you see.
436. Do Women Know Jack About Jack? –Pt. 23


A man’s devotion springs from actions, such as investing himself in something—hobby, woman, job? The greater his investment of himself, the greater is his reward.
-753. The Majesty of Sex


Devotion lasts, commitment may not. [13]
--410. Keepers for Keepers

Third, she too eagerly accepts his words of commitment instead of expecting actions that signify devotion to her and their union.
--361. Mr. Wrong alias Mr. Right

If she talks a man into marriage, it won’t last. A man’s devotion to marriage is very different from devotion to a woman.
91. Do Women Know Jack About Jack?


A man’s devotion to wife and marriage are not the same. The former is based on his heart, his feelings for her. The latter is based on his mind, values, principles, vows, and his word—to the extent that he honors such things.
--97. Do Women Know Jack About Jack?


A man’s love is based on respect for an extraordinary woman who outshines most others. She becomes extraordinary in his eyes, if he has to work hard to impress her, hold her attention, and otherwise prove himself worthy of her. Her attractiveness just gets the ball rolling.
--114. Do Women Know Jack About Jack?

The male nature tends to take a female for granted. Ensuring that his devotion goes beyond mere commitment minimizes her being taken for granted after marriage. Does he like, love, or cherish her? Without the latter, relationships easily shatter.
--308. Do Women Know Jack about Jack?

♂♥ His devotion reflects emotional fidelity. His commitment lacks that depth of meaning.
--331. Do Women Know Jack About Jack?

Men devote—as opposed to commit—themselves to women that exhibit core values of self-esteem, self-confidence, self-respect, and a self-image of devoting herself to one man.
366. Do Women Know Jack About Jack?

51. A man’s natural pursuit of other females does not stop until one woman so captures his respect and captivates his imagination that he devotes himself to her alone. What’s her best strategy for winning this battle of the sexes?
--234. Female Fortitude

If she expects his devotion, it arises from what he does for her, not what she does for him.
--295. Female Fortitude

If she makes it easy for him to know her, she makes it hard for him to keep her. Mystery captivates.
--300. Female Fortitude

By making herself worthy of a man, she confirms inequality and hints at inferiority.
--330. Female Fortitude

Feasting through their ears as women do, many fool themselves by accepting words of commitment in lieu of actions that display devotion.
--537. Heart over Head Redux A

Commitment comes in words and depends on faith by the listener. Devotion can be seen in actions that make both words and faith unnecessary. [13]
--402. Keepers for Keepers

Women don’t make a man prove himself worthy of her. When words are enough to conquer, men offer little else. [18]
--419. Keepers

Are his promises of commitment confirmed by actions that show devotion? If not, it’s probably too early to commit yourself.
--768. Beware Red Flags

Does he seek to earn your devotion with his actions or with words? Trust his actions but verify his words.
768. Beware Red Flags






Thoughts?
 
This is very true and puts into words some thoughts that I've had of late. As defined here, devotion is very different from commitment. I think you can tell by the way that man speaks of his SO when she's not around....

Now I see that many women push for the commitment without the devotion, and now I totally see the flaw in that thinking. I have a lot of male friends, and I have definitely seen the other side of the relationship where the commitment was pushed for by the woman. Just because a man agrees to commit to you does not mean that he's into you! Especially men who are for the most part "good guys", who will give a woman the commitment she wants because its the "right" thing to do... :nono:

I think this mix up is a lot more common than some people realize!

Lol I totally get it now! Seriously, this is something that has had me a little confused since college, because I have a lot of male friends that were in relationships like this, and I don't think they themselves sensed there was something wrong, but I always knew something was off.

Having seen it play out several times, I know that I definitely prefer devotion over commitment. I know devotion because I know my dad is devoted to my mom, so I know what I'm waiting for. I realize some woman don't have good examples to learn from, so that might be the reason some women make the mistake of accepting commitment in lieu of devotion.



Either way, good read. Thanks for posting!
 
Great post....definitely food for thought! I agree that devotion is much different from committment. When I think of religion, for instance, I know many people committed to church but not devoted to God. It really is all about the heart.

Committment is an act of will, duty...a job. Devotion is a selfless, and a compelling urge to give from the heart. We all know that relationships take work, but I don't want a relationship/marriage that is looked at as a chore. :nono:

My question is: How can one ensure that it is a true and lasting devotion and not just a fantasy that can be shattered once he gets to know you better? Do most long term relationships that start out based on devotion end up just being committed?
 
^^Yep, those are good ones!

Now I see that many women push for the commitment without the devotion, and now I totally see the flaw in that thinking. I have a lot of male friends, and I have definitely seen the other side of the relationship where the commitment was pushed for by the woman. Just because a man agrees to commit to you does not mean that he's into you! Especially men who are for the most part "good guys", who will give a woman the commitment she wants because its the "right" thing to do... :nono:

I think this mix up is a lot more common than some people realize!

Lol I totally get it now! Seriously, this is something that has had me a little confused since college, because I have a lot of male friends that were in relationships like this, and I don't think they themselves sensed there was something wrong, but I always knew something was off.

ITA. I've seen the same thing and was confused by it--like why would you be "commited" to someone that didn't also fully have your heart? What's the point?

I think that men can be a lot more practical about commitment. It's something that they've chosen to stick with--for whatever reason, which may or may not include being devoted, in love, etc. But for women, commitment and devotion seem to be much more one in the same--like once a woman has commited herself, she then gives all of herself, all of her heart.

So maybe women press for commitment thinking it means the same thing to him as it means to her, but it doesn't.

I also like the one saying that devotion ensures emotional fidelity. That's a biggie.
 
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