Take Responsibility

One of the most disturbing trends I've noticed in our society, especially among my generation is a lack of willingness to take responsibility for one's own actions.

In today's day and age it always seems to be someone else's fault. Each president blames the president before them for our nation's problems. A failing company's CEO blames prior leadership for his company's shortcomings. And parents even blame their parents for how they're parenting their own children.

No one seems willing to accept or even acknowledge their own role and responsibility in their current state. It's always someone's else fault. Or even in the rare case in which someone acknowledges a poor decision or a wrongful act. They couldn't help themselves because that's how they were raised or how that's how society has taught them to think.

We love to think of ourselves as "individuals", or "special", or "beautiful in our own ways". Until we do something wrong or stupid and then it's society's fault.

"Social media makes it so hard to be faithful now". "I wish I didn't have my Dad's temper". Or my personal favorite..."But I was drunk..."

Rarely do you hear, "That was completely my fault. I shouldn't have done that. I'm sorry and I want to do whatever I can to make this right."

To be clear, saying you're sorry doesn't make it right. Even taking responsibility doesn't erase a mistake or right a wrong. But it's a start. It's at least trying to make it right. It's far better than trying to shift the blame and hope it all just disappears and you can move on and feel better about yourself.

Shifting the blame never erases the guilt. It never makes the responsibility go away. Guilt must be faced and dealt with. And responsibility must be sought out and claimed. Because if you don't claim it, no one else will.