Personal Responsibility

It's funny how that phrase has altered so much in the last few years. It does not mean that one must act in the socially defined "responsible" way. It means that an individual be responsible for the choices they make.

Which shows you how the notion of "personal responsibility" gets easily twisted . Nowadays it means that each individual, even in his deepest, most intimate choices is actually responsible to Society at Large-- a fine Maoist concept-- or else to His Employer-- a fine Fascist concept. (Walt)

So for those unsure of what personal responsibility actually is, here is a definition of what personal responsibility means:

Accepting personal responsibility includes:

Acknowledging that you are solely responsible for the choices in your life.

Accepting that you are responsible for what you choose to feel or think.

Accepting that you choose the direction for your life.

Accepting that you cannot blame others for the choices you have made.

Tearing down the mask of defense or rationale for why others are responsible for who you are, what has happened to you, and what you are bound to become.

The rational belief that you are responsible for determining who your are, and how your choices affect your life.

Pointing the finger of responsibility back to yourself and away from others when you are discussing the consequences of your actions. (not btw, how MY actions influence you, but YOUR OWN actions and choices)

Realizing that you determine your feelings about any events or actions addressed to you, no matter how negative they seem.

Recognizing that you are your best cheerleader; it is not reasonable or healthy for you to depend on others to make you feel good about yourself.

Recognizing that as you enter adulthood and maturity, you determine how your self-esteem will develop.

Not feeling sorry for the ``bum deal'' you have been handed but taking hold of your life and giving it direction and reason.

When you have not accepted personal responsibility, you can run the risk of becoming:

Chronically hostile, angry, or depressed over how unfairly you have been or are being treated.

Fearful about ever taking a risk or making a decision.

Overwhelmed by disabling fears.

Over responsible in your need to rescue others in your life.

What do people believe who have not accepted personal responsibility?

I want you to fix me.

How can you say I am responsible for what happens to me in the future? There is fate, luck, politics, greed, envy, wicked and jealous people, and other negative influences that have a greater bearing on my future than I have. (Yeah, blame McDonald's and the smokers)

What terms are used to describe those who have not accepted personal responsibility?

martyrs. self-pitying, depressed, losers, quitters, chronically angry, BLAMERS, fearful, hostile, aggressive, irresponsible, weak, neurotic, obsessed

In order to accept personal responsibility you need to develop the ability to:

Be open to new ideas or concepts about life and the human condition.

Refute irrational beliefs and overcome fears.

RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE THE SOLE DETERMINANT OF THE CHOICES YOU MAKE.

RECOGNIZE THAT YOU CHOOSE YOUR RESPONSES TO THE PEOPLE, ACTIONS, AND EVENTS IN YOUR LIFE.

Realize that you are the party in charge of the direction your life takes.