Over the last week I have met many situations that deal with responsibility. Who truly holds responsibility for our actions? Recently, someone told me in regards to someone blaming someone else for their problems...how amazing it must be if to have so much control over someone that you make them do destructive things. More than that, how much power can someone have over another person to continue to do destructive things?
Not to say that I am perfect, because there have been times in my life that I have blamed something I didn't like about my life on someone else. BUT, I have never let it go for more than a short time until I have to take things into my own hands. I will say that there are a couple people in my life that I continually give emotional control over me that I don't want to give them and I struggle everyday to take back. In the end, I do try and be the one who takes responsibility for all the consequences both good and bad in my life. When a bill isn't paid, I didn't pay it; when the house isn't clean, I didn't clean it; when I have done something good or bad- I know that I did it.
I want my students to know the same thing. That their grades, their life, their destination is completely in their hands. They can spend a lifetime blaming people for their life and making excuses about their circumstances, but it will never get them anywhere but where they are - plus some additional bitter resentment.
Also, when you do make that "error in judgment", and life hands you the bad consequences that you deep down knew were coming - TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. Don't blame it on others and make good people (or even bad as the case may be) bear the burden. Apologize, go through the steps to rectify what you have done, and most importantly learn from it. Never blame others because you did something you know was wrong, you know you aren't proud of, and that you regret because of the consequences you currently face.
Responsibility is key to realizing that your own happiness lies within your reach- go take it.
Faith and Hope,
Karen
