Taking Responsibility
You know, it's tough taking full responsibility for everything in your life~
I mean, how many times have you heard yourself say, "Hey, that's not my fault." "I couldn't help it. She/He said blah blah blah" or "You know, I was minding my own business and all of a sudden..."
YEP - we are soooo afraid of making a mistake and finding ourself blamed and shamed. It's almost a full time job of pointing the finger some where else - just don't point it at me.
One of the characteristics I have identified in becoming a spiritual scientist is taking full responsibility for EVERYTHING in my life. This week another great example of our slippery human nature unfolded in the media following Cheney's 'accidental' shooting of Senator Whittington.
Do accidents happen? Absolutely. Is there an opportunity to take responsibility? You bet.
Here is my imaginary scene in the hospital room of Senator .... several days after the hunting accident between Cheney and the Senator.
C - You know Senator, you came from nowhere! All of a sudden, there you were right in my line of fire. What were you thinking?
Senator - Have you ever noticed sometimes, Mr. VP, that you don't know why you do some things? That some kind of instinct takes over and almost compels you into a dangerous position?
I have been reflecting on my actions all day lying in this hospital bed. I obviously know the folly of my actions but for the life of me can't figure out what I was thinking!!
C - Yes, it was like you weren't thinking!
Senator - Boy, is that scary to think about!! Not thinking!! What else have I done in my life when I wasn't thinking?? And when does that happen? I wonder if it has to do with fear?
C - I don't see the connection, Senator. What did your action from not thinking have to do with fear?
Senator - I'm not sure. But I can't think of any other unconscious feeling that would have blocked out 'thinking' other than fear.
C- (scratching his head) Senator, you've lost me.
Senator - I read somewhere that fears can be irrational - maybe it was a irrational fear. AND I read some place that irrational fears are often unconsious because we don't want to face the judgment of being afraid.
What do you think Mr. VP? Do you ever fear being judged when you are afraid? Or another way to say it might be do you ever fear being judged?
C - This whole converation is making me very uncomfortable, Senator. You've been watching way too much Dr. Phil. But I do know that I was not responsible for your actions or getting in the way of my shot. And I'm not interested in this mumbo jumbo psycho babble as to 'why' it happened. Let's just stay with the facts.
Senator - Now, that's an interesting statement coming from you, Mr. VP.
And exactly what are the facts? Seems to me it's a matter of perceptions.
C - Then, the perception that I want people to know is that I was not responsible for what happened.
Senator - But Mr. VP you fired the gun! You are part of the responsibility! and maybe if you allow yourself to get conscious about the fear you have at taking responsibility in your life when things go 'wrong'?... Wow, I feel freer already.
C - (pause) Well, you're right about one thing. I did fire the gun. I am responsible for that action. But I'm sorry, Senator. Let's just stick with the facts. I'm afraid the shock of this whole ordeal has fogged your brain.
Senator - Yes, Mr. VP - I agree. Taking responsibility sometimes is like speaking another language.
**************************
What I have discovered is that when I can take responsibility for it all - beyond fair/unfair, good/bad, right/wrong thinking, forgive myself and let it go ....I step free.
Love it all,
Rebecca
I mean, how many times have you heard yourself say, "Hey, that's not my fault." "I couldn't help it. She/He said blah blah blah" or "You know, I was minding my own business and all of a sudden..."
YEP - we are soooo afraid of making a mistake and finding ourself blamed and shamed. It's almost a full time job of pointing the finger some where else - just don't point it at me.
One of the characteristics I have identified in becoming a spiritual scientist is taking full responsibility for EVERYTHING in my life. This week another great example of our slippery human nature unfolded in the media following Cheney's 'accidental' shooting of Senator Whittington.
Do accidents happen? Absolutely. Is there an opportunity to take responsibility? You bet.
Here is my imaginary scene in the hospital room of Senator .... several days after the hunting accident between Cheney and the Senator.
C - You know Senator, you came from nowhere! All of a sudden, there you were right in my line of fire. What were you thinking?
Senator - Have you ever noticed sometimes, Mr. VP, that you don't know why you do some things? That some kind of instinct takes over and almost compels you into a dangerous position?
I have been reflecting on my actions all day lying in this hospital bed. I obviously know the folly of my actions but for the life of me can't figure out what I was thinking!!
C - Yes, it was like you weren't thinking!
Senator - Boy, is that scary to think about!! Not thinking!! What else have I done in my life when I wasn't thinking?? And when does that happen? I wonder if it has to do with fear?
C - I don't see the connection, Senator. What did your action from not thinking have to do with fear?
Senator - I'm not sure. But I can't think of any other unconscious feeling that would have blocked out 'thinking' other than fear.
C- (scratching his head) Senator, you've lost me.
Senator - I read somewhere that fears can be irrational - maybe it was a irrational fear. AND I read some place that irrational fears are often unconsious because we don't want to face the judgment of being afraid.
What do you think Mr. VP? Do you ever fear being judged when you are afraid? Or another way to say it might be do you ever fear being judged?
C - This whole converation is making me very uncomfortable, Senator. You've been watching way too much Dr. Phil. But I do know that I was not responsible for your actions or getting in the way of my shot. And I'm not interested in this mumbo jumbo psycho babble as to 'why' it happened. Let's just stay with the facts.
Senator - Now, that's an interesting statement coming from you, Mr. VP.
And exactly what are the facts? Seems to me it's a matter of perceptions.
C - Then, the perception that I want people to know is that I was not responsible for what happened.
Senator - But Mr. VP you fired the gun! You are part of the responsibility! and maybe if you allow yourself to get conscious about the fear you have at taking responsibility in your life when things go 'wrong'?... Wow, I feel freer already.
C - (pause) Well, you're right about one thing. I did fire the gun. I am responsible for that action. But I'm sorry, Senator. Let's just stick with the facts. I'm afraid the shock of this whole ordeal has fogged your brain.
Senator - Yes, Mr. VP - I agree. Taking responsibility sometimes is like speaking another language.
**************************
What I have discovered is that when I can take responsibility for it all - beyond fair/unfair, good/bad, right/wrong thinking, forgive myself and let it go ....I step free.
Love it all,
Rebecca
