Responsibility sometimes feels like a bad word and other times it can feel great. It is great when we get to be responsible for something we love. Like a party, or a fun activity, a desired challenge, or the control buttons! Not so great when feeling responsible for the disappointment of a loved one, an event that has gone wrong, or the failure of a challenge.
Responsibility can be a lot of work. Not having responsibility is definitely less demanding and less stressful, but not taking it may cost you the very thing you long for.
I would describe responsibility as empowering. Empowering because taking responsibility enables us to own the situation determining the narrative.
Taking responsibility is moving from the passenger seat to the driver’s seat. When we take responsibility for something, we are taking ownership of it. And when we own something, we can do something with it.
We can’t fix something we don’t own. We can’t get rid of or give away something we don’t own.
When we take responsibility for our response to others actions, we determine how it will affect us for the good or bad.
When we take responsibility for our own actions despite the forces coming against us, we get to determine our own pathway through or around.
When we take responsibility for the words coming out of our own mouth, we get to be responsible for bringing life into dead situations and circumstances.
When we take responsibility for ourself despite what the world throws at us, despite what others say and do to us, we get to create the world we choose to live in.
When you take responsibility for yourself no one can limit you, control you, or label you.
Taking responsibility is creating your own narrative and that is empowering.
Responsibility is power. Power to determine for ourselves what course we take mentally, emotionally, and physically. Taking responsibility is having the power over our own life even in situations where we shouldn’t have to take responsibility.
Taking responsibility for where you are no matter who or what got you there empowers you to overcome. Taking responsibility for the loss empowers you to rebuild. Taking responsibility means you do not have to wait for someone else to make it right. This moves you from the place of victim to the position of producer of your own life.
When you own it, you can shape it!
Don’t waste time looking around for someone else to take responsibility for what happened or for what went wrong; rather, own it and make a plan to get over it. Blaming keeps you living in reaction to what is or isn’t happening. You taking responsibility is saying no one else has the power to determine how my life turns out but me.
You may be thinking, “But it’s not my fault, I am here because of someone else. I have been wronged, held back, or controlled by external circumstances or people.”
That may very well be true. But until you take responsibility for the now you will forever be controlled by the past. Someone else may be responsible for where you are, but they can’t be responsible for where you are going unless you allow them to.
Life may not have been fair to you, some people may have had it better than you, and in some cases, you have been a victim but today you can start building the life you desire.
Today we embrace responsibility as a good word!
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