Responsibility. That word can cause feelings of dread, perseverance, or pride. It can make your heart sing or sink. It can make you feel very grown-up or like you want to ditch adulting forever. How can so many emotions be wrapped in one simple word?
The answer – because it’s not simple.
Responsibility could feel like doing a hard thing anyway.
Responsibility could feel like doing something others expect you to do or need you to do, whether you want to or not.
Responsibility could feel like owning up to your mistakes or shortcomings.
As children, many of us were taught that we must earn the right to be responsible for certain things. If I wanted to have a dog, I had to prove to my parents that I could be trusted to do assigned tasks without prompting and without too much whining. Not all the responsibilities of the dog fell to me, but a couple did. They were boring and sometimes annoying, yet those feelings paled in comparison to the fun and joy Pixie brought to our family.
As adults, the different realms of responsibility hang with us whether we’re conscious of them or not. We’re responsible for paying bills, for taking care of things around the home, for keeping the car fueled and serviced, for putting food on the table, for taking others’ feelings and needs into consideration, for keeping our own bodies and minds maintained so they continue to support us…phew! So much responsibility! Then we may add children and pets to our lives, and the weight of responsibility may feel very, very heavy some days.
For eons, adults have shouldered responsibility successfully, and you can do it, too. If it’s feeling particularly heavy today, check out these three episodes of the world’s second-shortest podcast for inspiration. Each is less than 90 seconds long, so you can listen to all three while waiting in the drive-through or ironing your pants.
Need permission to ditch responsibility for the feelings of others? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Want to take responsibility for your ego? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
Want to give back the responsibility that’s not yours? Here’s a Tiny Bite for that!
This month you may see a lot of dog-themed memes about responsibility. This month is Responsible Dog Owners Month, and the American Kennel Club is shining a light on all the fun you and your dog can have together. I’ll be part of at least one Responsible Dog Owners event, and if you have a dog, maybe you and your dog might want to go be part of your local one, too.
Because when you take responsibility and add a little dog hair, there’s no end to the fun and the love you’ll have!
Wags,
Sandy Weaver
The Voice of Wagaliciousness
PS...want more? Subscribe to the Mind, Body, Soul Sessions podcast, a weekly mental spa treatment for your total self! #podcast #success #leader #lawofattraction #personaldevelopment #mentalwellbeing
