We all need support as we take personal responsibility for our own wellness and our lives.  Those of us who take this personal responsibility achieve the the highest levels of wellness, happiness and life satisfaction.  (1)

What is accepting personal responsibility?

Accepting personal responsibility includes: (2)

• Acknowledging that you are solely responsible for the choices in your life.
• Accepting that you are responsible for what you choose to feel or think.
• Accepting that you choose the direction for your life.
• Accepting that you cannot blame others for the choices you have made.
• Tearing down the mask of defense or rationale for why others are responsible for who you are, what has happened to you, and what you are bound to become.
• The rational belief that you are responsible for determining who your are, and how your choices affect your life.
• Pointing the finger of responsibility back to yourself and away from others when you are discussing the consequences of your actions.
• Realizing that you determine your feelings about any events or actions addressed to you, no matter how negative they seem.
• Recognizing that you are your best cheerleader; it is not reasonable or healthy for you to depend on others to make you feel good about yourself.
• Recognizing that as you enter adulthood and maturity, you determine how your self-esteem will develop.
• Not feeling sorry for the 'bum deal' you have been handed but taking hold of your life and giving it direction and reason.
• Letting go of your sense of over responsibility for others.
• Protecting and nurturing your health and emotional well being.
• Taking preventive health oriented steps of structuring your life with time management, stress management, confronting fears, and burnout prevention.
• Taking an honest inventory of your strengths, abilities, talents, virtues, and positive points.
• Developing positive, self-affirming, self-talk scripts to enhance your personal development and growth.
• Letting go of blame and anger toward those in your past who did the best they could, given the limitations of their knowledge, background, and awareness.
• Working out anger, hostility, pessimism, and depression over past hurts, pains, abuse, mistreatment, and misdirection.

Responsibility is not a burden, it's a blessing (3)

Today's subject is responsibility. Not social responsibility, which is a separate issue, but personal responsibility. When we take responsibility, we admit we are the ones responsible for the choices we make. We, not other people or events, are responsible for the way we think and feel. It is our life, and we are in charge of it. We are free to enjoy it or disdain it. No, we are not responsible for all that happens to us, but we are responsible for how we think, feel, and act when they happen.

Why did God make us so fleet-footed? Some would argue it is to allow us to dodge, duck, and run from responsibility! Why would anyone want to do that? Well, many people associate responsibility with duty and obligations, which, in turn, are thought of as burdens. But personal responsibility is not a burden, it is a blessing. This becomes clear when we understand that PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY IS NOTHING OTHER THAN THE FREEDOM TO CREATE OUR OWN LIVES. Yes, responsibility is equated with freedom and power. Once we awaken to this fact, we become liberated and empowered. Once we become aware of this truth, we shed our victim mentality and gain the power to transform ourselves.

The other day it was pouring rain. Some waved their arms in exasperation and complained that their day off was 'ruined' by the weather. How can a free car wash and watering of the lawn 'ruin' one's day? The complainers are not free. They are in prisons of their own making. They can't enjoy life simply because it's 'too' wet outside. Instead of choosing to be miserable, why not choose to rent a hilarious video, play indoor mini golf, visit the library or bookstore, see a friend, or dress properly, take an umbrella, and enjoy a walk in the rain? Why reject the roles of creativity, flexibility, and resiliency in order to play the role of victim? Why choose to be weak when one can be strong? Why choose to be sullen when one can be thrilled?

What action should we take? Start by taking a personal inventory. That is, examine your life to learn the extent that you are either already taking responsibility or evading it. This is best done by asking yourself a series of questions and writing the answers for later study. Here's what I mean. Do you ever say to yourself or others any of the following? Life is so unfair. I'm unlucky. No one wants to help me. It's not my fault that I'm the way I am. Life is an endless struggle; there are too many burdens to bear. Terrible things are always happening to me. My parents (spouse, friends, coworkers, boss, health, the weather, or the political situation) make me depressed (angry or frustrated). I feel overwhelmed and helpless. Some people get all the breaks; I'm just unfortunate. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired. There's nothing I can do; it's just the way the world is. I can't succeed because of the corrupt government, blood-sucking corporations, greedy employers, and back-stabbing coworkers. I'm unsuccessful because of the prejudice (age discrimination, sexism, jealousy, hatred, stupidity) of others. I would be successful if it weren't for the idiots holding me back. Self-help books, positive thinking, or the advice of others can't help me.