RESPONSIBLITY

-Following up on my last post... 

If we decide to respect ourself, as well as those around us, (and it is a decision), we will find it natural to show it. We must show it to ourselves first. We have to be proud of the person in the mirror. How we came into the world, and the circumstances we were presented must be put aside. They merely represent a starting point. We can't blame God, the government, parents (or lack thereof), the boss, or any other factor. If we are respectful to and of ourself, and behave accordingly, we put the blame game behind and allow for happiness in all phases of life.  

This goes to taking responsibility for who we are, and the way we interact with others. As mentioned in the last post...being response-able. 

The life we have can only change if we take ownership of it. The quality rests within our own brain and approach to behavior. But this requires taking responsibility-

-for all decisions
-for actions or inaction
-for consequences
-for our environment or living situation
-for our choice of associates and friends
-for the quality of who, what, where, and what we are...essentially everything

That's a lot of responsibility. And it's not easy to take. It's much easier to look around and point fingers, withdraw, and complain. But then we surrender control of our life to others. There are others much wiser than me who have seen the fault in that line of thought. 

“It is a painful thing to look at your own trouble and know that you yourself and no one else has made it.”
Sophocles

“A sign of wisdom and maturity is when you come to terms with the realization that your decisions cause your rewards and consequences. You are responsible for your life, and your ultimate success depends on the choices you make.”
Denis Waitley

“The willingness to accept responsibility for one’s own life is the source from which self-respect springs.”
Joan Didion

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”
Abraham Lincoln

“Hold yourself responsible for a higher standard than anybody expects of you. Never excuse yourself.”
Henry Ward Beecher

Responsibility- Let's try some on for size. It might fit better than we think.