“The price of greatness is responsibility.”
-Sir Winston Churchill
As a school teacher, I see this all the time. A student fails to complete an assignment they have had many weeks to get done. Instead of coming in and talking to me about it the day it is due, they instead stay home and have a parent email me an excuse. Or, even worse, the parent blames me for the child not completing the work.
We love to blame others. When we blame others, we no longer have to accept responsibility for ourselves and the role we play in shirking our responsibilities. Certainly it is the fault of some outside source or condition. Blaming others keeps us stuck in a pattern of denial and continued irresponsibility. We fail to grow and mature.
I couldn’t see my role in the blame game until I did my Fourth Step resentment inventory. I really hated the job that let me go and was resentful about the marriage that didn’t work. I used to scream and cuss at meetings as a newcomer as I continually blamed others. I was actually pulled into another room by my sponsor more than once for these theatrics.
Today’s life, a life of dignity in which I take responsibility for myself and my actions, is also a life of incredible freedom.
Today’s Prayer
God, I need to stop blame-shifting and take responsibility for my own actions. Help me take this important step, Higher Power.
I hope all of you are having a great weekend. I have decided to post back-to-back from my book both Sunday and Monday, mostly because I just couldn’t decide between the two readings. God is great! Enjoy. -Jamey M.