“You must begin by assuming responsibility. And you alone are responsible for every moment of your life, for every one of your acts.” ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Everybody experiences things in life that are not planned for or wished for or even imagined. Some of these experiences are amazing and joyful surprises! Others are difficult to endure. You may have an experience of loss or betrayal. A loved one may disappoint or frustrate you or just decide to stop loving you one day. How can you be responsible for “every moment of your life”?
When you have an experience such as this, you may believe that another is to blame. You decide that it’s their fault. They did this to you. Their actions caused your pain. They are responsible for how you feel. When you blame, you give up your power to determine your life experience. Why is another individual responsible for your happiness and well-being? Nothing is gained through blame. When you blame, you agree to be a victim. We are never victims unless we agree to be.
When you accept responsibility for the way you react to the experience, you leave the role of victim behind. Instead, you take on the role of the hero in your life’s journey. You make a decision about how you will respond to the situation. You take control of your emotions and your thoughts about what has happened. You make choices about your actions. When you take these actions, you are empowered. As the hero, you will discover qualities within yourself that you were unaware of. You will find some new capacity that had not been expressed before. You will find inner strength as you trust your ability to overcome this obstacle. This difficult challenge will ultimately reveal a greater expression of who you are. You not only survive, you thrive. You are better, stronger and wiser.
You can never eliminate negative experiences from your life. They happen and you have to deal with them. Don’t be afraid of them for they are an opportunity for growth. Holding on and being attached to the way things were in the past creates suffering now and into the future. This journey of life is about the experience of the now moment. It is essential to leave the past behind and let go of thoughts and feelings that are no longer in your best interest. You learn to live through them. And you do better. You find courage. This journey requires taking responsibility for your choices. Responsibility gives you control. It is the bridge between victim and hero.
Are you experiencing difficulties in life? Are things happening to you? Is something out of control? Are you a victim of love or loss? Perhaps it’s time to go within to listen to your own intuitive knowing. You have everything within you to succeed. You know the way. You alone are responsible for reaching your destination. Your hero’s journey begins now.