Accountable or Vindictive?
It seems that people in the Western world as well as those in the Eastern and Middle-eastern societies are all wanting someone to be accountable for what’s happening. “Someone must take responsibility!” “There is nobody who will accept responsibility for this!” For what? And, more importantly who is “somebody?"
It appears that there is more and more of an emphasis in the world for people to accuse one another of wrong-doing. Sure there’s wrong doing in the world. All you need to do is look around and see it. But what is the wrong doing – the act or the finger pointing afterward?
If we expect others to do things for us or to make things happen, we are missing the story. There are lots of things that need done and few people willing to step up and do them (unless they get a hold harmless clause).
In a few days we may find out whether or not the medicine prescribed to my father resulted in his heart attack or not. But that will only provide knowledge – not ammunition. There is no going back and changing things. There is only moving ahead. So, something went wrong. Do we seek to sue the doctor? The pharmacy? The drug manufacturer? For what? What will it change? Nothing!
I have little control over what happens to me. But I have ultimate control over how I will respond. It is the story of the egg, the carrot and the coffee bean. When things get hot and we feel like we’re “up to here” in hot water, we can respond like the egg and harden our attitudes and responses. Or we can be the carrot that simply weakens and gives in to “whatever will be.” Or we can be the coffee bean and change the hot water into something of benefit through the very character that is us.
It is no coincidence that every paragraph started with the same letter “I” because it is “I” that can start things to happen. I can take responsibility for my actions. I can accept what happens and respond in a way that improves my surroundings rather than demeans it. I can choose to forgive rather than seek vengeance for the smallest slight. People don’t seek to be responsible anymore, they seek to be vindictive.
Is it any wonder we are were we are?
It appears that there is more and more of an emphasis in the world for people to accuse one another of wrong-doing. Sure there’s wrong doing in the world. All you need to do is look around and see it. But what is the wrong doing – the act or the finger pointing afterward?
If we expect others to do things for us or to make things happen, we are missing the story. There are lots of things that need done and few people willing to step up and do them (unless they get a hold harmless clause).
In a few days we may find out whether or not the medicine prescribed to my father resulted in his heart attack or not. But that will only provide knowledge – not ammunition. There is no going back and changing things. There is only moving ahead. So, something went wrong. Do we seek to sue the doctor? The pharmacy? The drug manufacturer? For what? What will it change? Nothing!
I have little control over what happens to me. But I have ultimate control over how I will respond. It is the story of the egg, the carrot and the coffee bean. When things get hot and we feel like we’re “up to here” in hot water, we can respond like the egg and harden our attitudes and responses. Or we can be the carrot that simply weakens and gives in to “whatever will be.” Or we can be the coffee bean and change the hot water into something of benefit through the very character that is us.
It is no coincidence that every paragraph started with the same letter “I” because it is “I” that can start things to happen. I can take responsibility for my actions. I can accept what happens and respond in a way that improves my surroundings rather than demeans it. I can choose to forgive rather than seek vengeance for the smallest slight. People don’t seek to be responsible anymore, they seek to be vindictive.
Is it any wonder we are were we are?
posted by genebko at
5:46 PM
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