Today is September 2, 2020. And what a year this has been. Between a virus that is either killing us all or no worse than the flu, riots, elections, global economic collapse, hurricanes, floods, fires, basically anything and everything that can go wrong has… just about. I don’t want to jinx us just yet.
The thing is… one thin I see A LOT of… well two things. 1) a complete lack of responsibility for owns own actions/choices/consequence of choice, and 2) relying on, and even expecting the government to take care of us.
With everything that is happening, not all of it can be solved today be taking personal responsibility, but it would go A LONG way towards resolving our issues.
But what does it mean to take responsibility?
Here are some ideas I have –
- Make a choice. Seriously. So many people let life happen to them, or wait for something/body to make choices for them. Whether it be where to eat, what job to do, or education to get. Make your OWN choices. When you make a choice, you own that choice and it’s consequences.
*A note on consequences – Consequences are neither good nor bad, they are just the natural outcome of one’s choices. If you make good choices, you have desirable consequences, if you make poor choices, you get undesirable consequences. Sometimes those consequences are not immediately noticeable, sometimes they hit you in the face like a day old fish. But do NOT fear consequence, as they are how we learn if the choices we made are good or bad. - Be responsible. When you make a mistake, own up to it. When you do well, own up to it. Be responsible for your actions, words, decisions. But don’t be vain and look down on others for the choices they made. When you have hurt others seek forgiveness, when other’s hurt you, offer forgiveness. When somebody comes to you for help, Help them to your best ability. Ask for help when you are in need. Make choices that give you ownership over your own life.
- Be wise in your spending. This one is probably the hardest for me. I love stuff. But so often stuff does not love me, or the acquiring of stuff does not leaving me in a good place financially. But when I am wise, when I budget my money, and make decisions on how my money is spent long before I even earn it, then I find that I have the stuff I want, much less the stuff I need, AND have money left over. The left over goes aggressively into long term investments that will support me in the long term. I have other financial goals as well, that I am trying to achieve, but my #1 goal: spend less than I make. Curb my wants, focus on needs, and finding happiness in things other than stuff.
- Be kind. So many people refuse to be kind to each other. This is one of those things, if you are kind, others will be kind to you. Not everybody, but most people. If you are unkind, very few, if any will be kind back. Those who would be remove themselves from your life. The two most important commandants given by god. 1) love god, 2) love each other. It’s as simple as that. Smile, say kind words, lift each other up, encourage each other.
- Make goals, and plans to meet those goals. Be content with where you are now, but don’t be content with being there tomorrow. Make plans to grow in knowledge, resources, expertise, kindness, family, love, gratitude. All of these can be worked on and improved upon. Do not beat yourself up for not being where somebody else is today. You are where you are today. Be happy with yourself today. Find ways to make you better tomorrow.
These are 5 pretty simple steps you can work on for yourself. Start small, build up. The thing is, if we become responsible for ourselves, we no longer need the government to be responsible of us for us. And we gain the ability to help others as well. I truly believe this is the way for us to be happy. As a people, as a country, and even, as a world.
-AIC