This is going to be a slightly different look at personal responsibility. Though I strongly believe each one of us is responsible for our actions, I also believe we can be responsible for our lack of self-care.
Recently I saw a poster that read; “Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean ‘Me first’ it means ‘me too.’” This statement also reminds me of what flight attendants tell us: “Put your own mask on before you assist another.” Or when helping a drowning person: “Do not put yourself at risk to save the person from drowning, or you risk drowning yourself.” All these statements remind us of the importance of taking care of yourself.
Self-care does not necessarily mean putting all and only your needs first; it means putting self-care in balance with each situation. There may be a time when attending to the needs of another is more important. For example, certain situations when taking care of a young child may need more attention than wanting to take a nap. Or, as said, in a different situation “putting on your mask before helping the child.”
However, all too often, so many of us have learned to put others’ needs, wishes, and attention first. When we do, we become lost in caring for others and all too often deplete our energy. Taking care of yourself is a primary personal responsibility. And when self-care is in balance with the needs of others, it brings a higher balance to life. It’s when tending to others always over one’s own needs, that the imbalance creates an energetic imbalance and personal disharmony.
Another important aspect of personal responsibility is not expecting to be perfect.
It is a well-known fact that Picasso created over 50,000 works of art. Yet, only about 100 of all the art pieces he created are considered masterpieces and are still revered today. Do you realize that means this artistic master’s work had less than 1% of what he did considered significant or inadequate?
How often in life do we harshly criticize our work, actions, deeds, and thoughts as incorrect, insignificant, or inadequate?
There is a legend that tells of Picasso being in a Paris market when an admirer approached and asked if he could do a quick sketch on a paper napkin for her. Picasso politely agreed, promptly created a drawing, and handed back the napkin, and as he is handing it to her, he tells her it will cost a million francs. The woman was appalled, questioning the price since it only took him a few minutes to draw the piece. He explains to her it may be only a few minutes now, but that is only after and because of several years of perfecting his skill through arduous trial, error, failures, and successes.
As you are considering your responsibilities, remember all the work and experiences you have gone through to get to where you are. Do not sacrifice your talents and skills, earned from many years of work, because others see what you have done as only taking you a short time to accomplish. Honor who you are because of the work you put into who you are now and what you have accomplished.
I’ll mention one last area of personal responsibility that honors oneself and one’s skill. The other day I was talking with a peer about providing a psychic reading to another. Her comment to me was she still gets so nervous. I said, “So do I.” I want to know that I am keeping an authentic connection with the esteemed spirit guidance around me: the divine, angels, guides, guardians, all. For me, honoring and respecting when working with my spiritual guidance, even after a lifetime of experiences, has continued to have me feeling in awe that I am privileged to have this connection, honored that these powerful and wonderful guidances are choosing to work with me, and as well with all my heart I am so humbled these spirits choose to continue to work with me so I am able to share my skill with others. Personal responsibility also means keeping yourself in check. By keeping yourself in check, it means being mindful of yourself, not becoming overly powerful, not taking oneself for granted, and not perceiving oneself too greatly.
Remind yourself how important life is. And even while busy, remind yourself to be personally responsible. Be courageous enough to count yourself first, don’t expect to be perfect, remember your efforts to get to where you are in your life, share your passion, be awed, be honored, be humbled, and above all take care of yourself so you can be you. Be courageous enough to continue to share yourself because you have the strength and energy gained by taking care of yourself.