One morning, my husband and I were driving along chattering happily about our plans for the day when something happened.
Two children were standing outside by the road waiting for the school bus. A little boy and a little girl. Cute kids with backpacks who (unbeknownst to us) were enjoying some early morning target practice.
As we passed by them in our vehicle, the little girl gleefully hurled a stone at us! Her joy at hitting her target was obvious.
My husband and I were stunned at this unfortunate turn of events. It took us a few more yards down the road to react and determine to turn around and confront our 'attackers'.
As we returned to the scene, my husband rolled down the window and spoke to the children. "Is your mother home?" At that very moment, she came to the door.
"She threw a stone at our vehicle," my husband explained as he pointed to the little girl. With shocked concern, their mother apologized, "I'm so sorry. Was there any damage?"
"No! No damage." The little boy piped up nervously. "Get inside right now!" their mother declared.
Realizing that punishment was coming, the girl quickly passed the blame and pointed at her brother. "HE did it!"
"NO! SHE did it!" the boy countered, pointing at his sister.
My husband and I continued on our way, but I couldn't help thinking that this event reminded me about the Law of Personal Responsibility and the role accountability plays in our lives.
I suppose that almost everyone at some point has blamed someone/something or at least wanted to. I know I have. In fact, there are moments in life when we point our finger like some little kid getting in trouble with their mother. Just ask my husband who is to blame if the baby wakes up. [Whisper: he is.]
But seriously, we do it a lot in our lives.
Two children were standing outside by the road waiting for the school bus. A little boy and a little girl. Cute kids with backpacks who (unbeknownst to us) were enjoying some early morning target practice.
As we passed by them in our vehicle, the little girl gleefully hurled a stone at us! Her joy at hitting her target was obvious.
My husband and I were stunned at this unfortunate turn of events. It took us a few more yards down the road to react and determine to turn around and confront our 'attackers'.
As we returned to the scene, my husband rolled down the window and spoke to the children. "Is your mother home?" At that very moment, she came to the door.
"She threw a stone at our vehicle," my husband explained as he pointed to the little girl. With shocked concern, their mother apologized, "I'm so sorry. Was there any damage?"
"No! No damage." The little boy piped up nervously. "Get inside right now!" their mother declared.
Realizing that punishment was coming, the girl quickly passed the blame and pointed at her brother. "HE did it!"
"NO! SHE did it!" the boy countered, pointing at his sister.
My husband and I continued on our way, but I couldn't help thinking that this event reminded me about the Law of Personal Responsibility and the role accountability plays in our lives.
I suppose that almost everyone at some point has blamed someone/something or at least wanted to. I know I have. In fact, there are moments in life when we point our finger like some little kid getting in trouble with their mother. Just ask my husband who is to blame if the baby wakes up. [Whisper: he is.]
But seriously, we do it a lot in our lives.
- "I was late because someone decided to take another five minutes getting ready." (accompanied by long suffering sigh.)
- "I am driving angry because someone just cut me off in traffic." (said with teeth clenched.)
- "I ate a whole carton of icecream because I am depressed-mad-angry-upset about my life."
- "My spouse/parent/child/coworker did or said something to me and now I am unhappy."
Sooner or later (whether as children or adults) we learn that we must take accountability for our actions. We learn cause and effect. We learn that we are each responsible for our lives, actions, and reactions to events.
Taking personal responsibility doesn't always have to be about BAD things. Personal responsibility also works for manifesting GOOD things and GOOD responses.
Bottomline: We each create our own happiness or unhappiness as we obey or disobey Natural Law. So affirm to take personal responsibility for your actions and reactions.
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