Self Help: take responsibility for your life

Yesterday, I commented people taking responsibility for their lives and actions. As I did yesterday, I want to first disclaim any intent to insult or otherwise defame the character of anyone. I am simply using the following story as an example.

In Massachusetts there is a suit going on against the tobacco company Philip Morris. A woman is suing the company saying that she is a smoker and wants PM to cover the cost of cancer monitoring for her and other non-cancerous smokers. I am not a smoker and never really have been. Tried a few times, but did not like the taste.

I am in no way am suggesting that tobacco companies are not at some fault for making smoking appear more glamorous than it is. I believe that smoking should be banned, but I also believe in a person’s right to choose; and that brings me to the issue.

I am not for this woman winning her suit. I believe she chose to smoke, knowing that it was bad for her. That means, in my book, that she takes the consequences. Now had she been duped into smoking for the last twenty or so years, she is in her fifties, then maybe, but that is not the case. Anyone with an IQ over sixty has known for years that smoking is bad for you.

My issue isn’t really about smoking, but about taking responsibility. When do we stop blaming others or expecting others to do for us what we should do ourselves? We watch reality TV so other people can have adventures for us; we read self help books, hoping someone will give us the magic formula to life change.

I have a friend (see post) who does exercise programs. I teach yoga. I know that there are many people who would be just as happy to let my friend or I do the exercise for them and they could just lay on the couch and watch!

You want life change? You want a better life? Take the time to read about it, learn from others, but then go do something! I have a mnemonic tool I use to remind me what needs to happen. It is ACT. Acquire the knowledge I need to do what I want to do. Commit to a plan of action. Take the steps necessary to carry out the plan. Notice no one else is involved; just me!

Decide today to take responsibility for your life. Don’t wait for others. Don’t expect others to do it for you. Don’t blame others for where  or who you are.

Here’s to You!