I am responsible for me–for my life and for my actions. And I claim that responsibility.
Even as someone who preaches the importance of personal responsibility, I sometimes forget this simple truth. And there are days that I would just love to have someone else to blame for the messes I get into. But it’s me.
Claiming that responsibility is very libertating. When I am responsible, I am not a victim.
Now this doesn’t mean that if a random stranger walks up to me and shoots me on the subway, it’s my fault. The shooter is responsible for that. In that sense I am a victim of a crime. But how do I deal with that shooting? That’s my responsibility.
This year I’ve been in two car accidents, and according to the police and the insurance companies, neither was my fault. I was the victim. But how am I using them to my benefit? And I don’t mean monetarily. No legal cases are involved. Every once in a while, I feel myself feeling put upon and victimized by “the universe,” but that’s just me having a pity party for myself. That’s a bad road to go down.
Good things did happen through the accidents. I was showered with love and care from friends and family at a time when I really needed it on many levels. I got rest when I needed it that I wouldn’t have taken otherwise. I got tests I wouldn’t have otherwise that uncovered problems I didn’t know I had!
I am responsible for the spin I put on my life. Even when bad things happen handling them positively is what we have to do.
