I’ll be using the word THRIVING as an acrostic to start off this series or articles.
So let’s start with T for TAKING RESPONSIBILITY.
Let me ask you this. Are there areas in your life where you are dissatisfied and feel you are just surviving and NOT thriving?
Maybe you feel that you’re not physically healthy or in good shape.
Maybe you feel that your finances are way out of order.
Maybe you feel that you just don’t have balance in life.
Maybe you’re mad or angry at someone in your life who has hurt or victimized you.
Maybe you feel you don’t know how to manage your feelings well or are stressed by life.
Maybe you feel you don’t have enough time for yourself.
Maybe you feel lonely or don’t feel you have any meaningful relationships.
Maybe you don’t feel close to your family.
Or maybe there’s something else bothering you.
This is a small list, but I think you get the point…
We ALL have areas where we probably would like to see changes in our lives, don’t we?
But here’s a question: Have YOU truly taken responsibility over this area where you are dissatisfied? Or have you been waiting passively for someone to rescue you?
What if…YOU actually have the capacity to take responsibility over this area where you see yourself merely surviving and dissatisfied?
I’ve learned in life that there is often a correlation between the degree to which I’m dissasfied in an area of life and the degree to which I am taking responsibility over that area of my life.
But you may still be wondering: why is the notion of taking responsibility so important to living a thriving life?
Think about a young child growing up. Throughout the various stages of childhood, there are times a child will not want help and will choose to do something on his or her own.
Maybe it’s a baby wanting to use a spoon on their own even if they don’t know how to use it and get food all over their face (a nice messy, fun stage for the parents’ memories!).
Or maybe it’s a teenager saying they’ll do challenging tasks or assignments on their own and decline their parents’ help (not always easy for us parents to accept, haha!).
Clearly, when a young person feels ready and has a chance to take responsibility over their life in a certain area, there is always potential to grow in confidence and in strength.
And the same goes for us, isnt it? When you and I choose to take responsibility over an area, we’re choosing to not give in to fears about facing that area. We’re choosing to use our God-given gift of choice to overcome challenges. We’re choosing to make things better. And when we do that, we can gain a sense of self-empowerment and fulfillment! And that’s powerful!
Summary:
I like this quote by Christopher Avery: “Taking responsibility is a commitment to own your life, to self-leadership, growth, and freedom.”
Putting it into Practice:
Think of one area of your life where you’re not satisfied. (If you can’t think of one, look at the scenarios listed above or share this with a friend!).
Questions to ask yourself:
Do you see a way to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY of this issue?
How do you plan to TAKE RESPONSIBILITY of this issue? (do you need to sit down and make a plan, do you need help/accountability?)
It’s as simple as that! Sometimes it just takes one step to start a change in life.
What’s that one small step you could take today to make tomorrow better?
Let’s go THRIVE, shall we?
Sean
