This is part two, unofficially, about responsibility.
Last week I wrote about not taking responsibility where it is not yours to take and this week I am all about the other side.
To be good humans we must learn to take responsibility for ourselves- keeping our promises, admitting our shortcoming and wrongs when we get off track, creating the environment we want to live in, taking care of people and things where we committed to do so and are counted on.
Let me slide this in here– we are humans, so perfection is not part of the equation. We will slip up and that is when we admit and apologize and take a positive action to rectify the situation.
It is our responsibility to learn, grow, evolve- and there is no end to that. There is no excuse of being too old to change. Consistent growth in mind body and spirit keeps you healthy. It is not about fixing something that is wrong, but a lifelong learning and expanding.
We all have our truths- and many times they do not match up with someone else’s truth in the very same situation. It is your responsibility to be clear in your communication, as well as being up to you to make sure you understand the person or situation before responding. Curiosity.
I especially want to highlight the idea that we take responsibility for our environments and endeavor to make the most of them. Our environments are mindset- what is going on inside our heads, what we are focused on, who we spend time with, what we are watching and listening to (even in the background), it can be cleanliness of spaces- home, office, car and how you leave places where you spent time- like are you a good steward of the places you spend time in.
Tell yourself the truth about the way you impact others. Be aware of others around you and take them into consideration. A co-working space, for instance, can be a great environment if everyone keeps everyone else in mind. How you behave in the space impacts others greatly. I was on a flight recently filled with little dogs. There was one dog that barked a lot while taking off and landing- probably ears were hurting. The man behind me talked loudly and incessantly throughout the flight and a fair amount of his words were dedicated to complaining that the dog was barking. HE was much more disruptive to my enjoying the space than the little dog. He had no idea of his impact. So we need to take responsibility and wake up. I use these circumstances to check myself. I am not perfect, however, I am aware and try to notice who and how I might impact in any space. Where can I do better?
What truths do you hold about yourself and how responsible you are in the areas of your life?
What is really the truth?
Where would you like to do better? What will you actually commit to doing?
How can you be more curious about someone else’s truth when it differs from your own?
Take some time to think and write down your answer and see what you might learn.