In 1985 my family and I moved to America from a third world
country. “Iran”
I was only eleven years old.
My mom had to get me out because they (the government) was taking twelve year old kids to war.
(I am still not sure what a 12 year old would have done in a war)
Iran’s government blamed and to this day blames the “western world” and what they call “The Great Satan” (America) for their shortcomings and failures.
What a bunch of crap.
Loser mentality for sure.
I am forever indebted for my mom for bringing me to the “land of opportunity.”
America is by far the greatest country in the WORLD bar none.
A country that the first ten amendments to the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights, set forth the priceless rights or freedoms that all Americans may enjoy.
A country that rewards hard work and dedication. No wonder America (in less than 500 years) has become the most powerful nation in the WORLD.
A country that people take full responsibilities for their actions and can pretty much right their own checks if they wanted to.
But soon I realized that even in the greatest country in the WORLD some people still refuse to accept personal responsibility.
There are people who:
Blame the fast food industry for being fat.
Did Colonel Sanders put a gun to your head and make you eat 5 buckets of fried chicken?
Spills hot coffee and sue the restaurant for making the coffee too hot.
Make 30K/year and buy a million dollar home
I can go on and on but I think you catch my drift.
Accepting personal responsibility is the ONLY way to take control of your life.
A strong, successful man is not the victim of his environment. He creates favorable conditions. His own inherent force and energy compel things to turn out as he desires.
Accepting personal responsibility include:
* Acknowledging that you are solely responsible for the choices in your life.
* Accepting that you are responsible for what you choose to feel or think.
* Accepting that you choose the direction for your life.
* Accepting that you cannot blame others for the choices you have made.
* Tearing down the mask of defense or rationale for why others are responsible for who you are, what has happened to you and what you are bound to become.
* The rational belief that you are responsible for determining who your are, and how your choices affect your life.
* Pointing the finger of responsibility back to yourself and away from others when you are discussing the consequences of your actions.
*Realizing that you determine your feelings about any events or actions addressed to you, no matter how negative they seem.
* Recognizing that you are your best cheerleader; it is not reasonable or healthy for you to depend on others to make you feel good about yourself.
* Not feeling sorry for the “bum deal” you have been handed but taking hold of your life and giving it direction and reason.
* Letting go of your sense of over responsibility for others.
* Taking preventive health oriented steps of structuring your life with time management, stress management, confronting fears and burnout prevention.
* Taking an honest inventory of your strengths, abilities, talents, virtues and positive points.
* Letting go of blame and anger toward those in your past who did the best they could, given the limitations of their knowledge, background and awareness.
* Working out anger, hostility, pessimism and depression over past hurts, pains, abuse, mistreatment and misdirection.
Your boy Sam,
PS – You live in the greatest country in the world. It doesn’t get any easier than this. You’re already blessed. You live in America. The land of opportunity.
PPS – Have you registered for THIS Weekend with Sam event yet?