My Most Radical Realization!
When you were a kid, did your parents ever use “big words” and you made up what they meant instead of ask for a definition? Well I did, and one of the words I made up my own meaning for was the word Responsible or Responsibility. I always heard the word in the context of “once you are responsible” or “you need to be responsible before you can have a phone”.
I made up that Responsibility meant “be a grown up,”. Whatever grown up means, at the time to me that meant take care of yourself and be a resource, ask fewer questions, figure it out vs always asking for help.
Looking back on the way I started to define responsibility, it’s no wonder to me that when I was offered a new and refreshing take on the word that my universe was totally lit up by the prospect that the idea of responsibility could actually enhance my life not bog it down.
I have adopted a new definition as follows:
Healthy Responsibility, grounding myself in what’s real (present) , owning, rather than being affected by and Open to feedback. –The Hendricks Institute Definition
Being present with what is actually happening and taking full ownership of my reality instead of feeling at the affect of circumstances!
When I connected the dots between my reality and the option to choose, my world turned on its head! Instead of feeling like I “had to” do anything, everything started to feel like opportunity instead of a demand.
I decided to share this particular view point with you here because it is the number one mind shift that has single handedly changed my life for the better!
When I filter my choices through the lens of being present and then taking ownership of how I want to experience life, the rest falls into place. Choosing Love feels easier, breathing deeper becomes available and my eyes soften to see others as my ally instead of the enemy.
My encouragement to you is to try it on. When you find yourself having thoughts that sound like “She totally made me do that, she doesn’t listen” or “I had to, there was no other option”, swap those for “I wonder what I am not communicating to her” or “I Wonder what other options are here that I could discover”.
Please share with me your experience around playing with this powerful concept!
Cheers!
Lindsey Rainwater is an experienced consultant and coach to the fitness and wellness industry. She specializes in business development and leadership. Currently she is working with the Fitmarc Team helping club owners all over the south central region of the united states propel their business forward via group exercise solutions. For more information about lindsey, follow her @lindseyrainh2o