I am responsible

I have a friend who has addiction problems

He is addicted to alcohol

He is addicted to tobacco

He is addicted to sex and the thrill of the chase

When he eventually landed in the gutter ...really hitting rock bottom ... he knew it was time to take action

He booked himself into a rehab centre. He endured all that they threw at him ....he especially hated that they wrote Grandiosity next to his name on the board ...although he understands it now.

He comes from an exceedingly wealthy background ...was driven off to boarding school in the chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Silver Cloud at the tender age of eight. Just him. And the driver. And his bags.

Daddy had already left the family. Mummy chose to go off with sister ...leaving him in a lavish setting of the sugarcane farms. Grandparents became his carers.
He often speaks of what a rich environment it was for him to grow up in. A very wealthy family, and the very poor farm workers and their families who became his friends. Culturally an interesting setting. But no mum or dad.

More than a decade ago, he was held up at gunpoint after emptying a safety deposit box at the bank. Filled with family riches. He handed everything over - a sensible action ....asked for them to throw his car and house keys back to him as they sped off. They did. They were only interested in what he had taken from the bank.

He lost a lot of valuable stuff that day ...and yet there is only one thing that he sobbed about. After having graduated from rehab, he was given a medal engraved with three words.

I am responsible

His most treasured possession. Because I knew how much it meant to him, I got a disc engraved with those words and gave it to him. Again he wept. To this day, it is tucked into his wallet. One can no longer see the engraving, but the disc represents the recognition of his achievements. He has not had any alcohol for 15 years.
He has made his life into a good one now. He has risen above his history. He chooses to be happy each day.

I share this story, because there are so many people who are so hooked into their unhappy story, and they do not take responsibility for their own feelings each day. They seek excuses for their continued misery.

My mum did not love me ...
My lover left me..
My dad beat me ...
My teacher said nasty things about me..
The neighbours are cruel to me ...
My husband does not love me ...

Despite all those things - you can choose to find happiness within. Other peoples actions cannot possibly make you happy or sad! Your emotions are your own choice.

If a child falls and scrapes his knees, a loving mum may feel sad. When that same child wins a prize, the mum may feel delighted.
However - it is not the action that causes the emotion - it is the way in which the action is interpreted that gives rise to the emotion.

So, if you had a horrid childhood - bless it. It is part of your past. But it is not an excuse or a reason to drag it around with you each day. Choose to have a happy day today.
If your partner is cruel, make a choice about when it is that you deserve more than that, and take action to change the situation.

You are responsible - for every single thing you think and do!
You are responsible - for every moment of your day!

Choose a life that uplifts, fulfills, inspires, delights..........

Because you can....

Because               ~YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE~