Response-ability

Responsibility is usually easy when we have a good day or when things work out the way we expect. In those circumstances, we happily take responsibility for what we have created… However, on tough days, we might say ”My work is overwhelming” or “my boss is really frustrating”.

But… is that true?

If only we could understand that this is impossible. Work can’t overwhelm you, someone can’t frustrate you, because these are external objects and they have no direct access to your mind…

Epictetus, the stoic philosopher said

“There is nothing good or bad outside my own reasoned choice.”

Those emotions you feel, as real as them are, come from the inside, not the outside. We can’t blame other people for making us feel stressed or frustrated.

We all have a choice, because we are the one in charge.

The cause of irritation, or our notion that something is bad, comes from us – our labels, our beliefs, our expectations, or our assumptions. The cause is within us, and the people or objects we project those labels and expectations onto are simply targets.

The cause of my irritation is not in this person, but in me…

Timeless wisdom to remind ourselves of that distinction – everything originates from within and it’s our responsibility to own whatever we project… Its’ only by taking ownership that we can retain our power to effect change.

In Nutshell:

However you feel starts from within. Good or bad, happy or sad, no one and nothing can make you feel this way without your consent. Take responsibility for how you feel, so you can then decide to change the way you feel…