After reading this I initially felt a sense of frustration. I had to stop for a minute and really think of why this caused such a reaction. I hope in the following post I can effectively articulate my thoughts.
“Everything” and ” every” jumped out first. What global, black and white, all encompassing choice of words. Writer beware.. In my opinion once these words are chosen I immediately sense a single minded view just possibly influenced by little understanding, tolerance, and acceptance.
“Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument, or your age that is to blame.”
Writer please tell me if you take genetics, basic brain physiology, and life experience out of the equation, what’s left? What pray tell do you base a choice or decision on? A simple knee jerk reaction? Thank God that is not how I exist. Neither do you. Like it or not before birth your brain was hard wired to take all of these life experiences into account, storing them as memory for the purpose of recall in order to afford you the ability to make decisions and choices.
“You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.”
If I find that I make a poor choice or decision, yes I like to think that I take responsibility for it. But as it happens, in the world I live in, there are those people compassionate enough to help me shoulder some of that weight when I do make a poor choice or decision. You ask.. Then why make a poor choice or decision? Because I am neither Devine or Omnipotent, by the grace of God only human. It is also a by product of basic learning behavior. My brain is wired to react based upon stored memories. Yours is too. Like it or not. Again, basic human biology. Additionally I have not lived in a bubble for 44 years .
Finally “blame”. Interesting word. I’m curious, why this ‘choice’?
My head hurts now. Too much thinking? Nah. All in all this passage strikes me as a form of diverting the age old notion of being your brothers keeper. You and only you..Diverting responsibility for directly or indirectly influencing another’s choice or decision based on your own actions, inactions,words or silence. Conveniently “passing the buck”?
And again, the passage completely negates the factual structure and function of the brain itself.
I prefer this..
You are responsible for the decisions and choices you make based on your life experiences and the influences around you. As fact, you are stuck with your particular brain biology and chemistry to a great extent. Whenever possible take a second to reflect on your personal circumstances before making a choice or decision. Understand that sometimes you are born with flawed genetics and grow up in a less than ideal environment. I see that. Although I am not willing to let you escape responsibility for your choices/decisions I will consider helping shoulder some of the burden or at least try to understand the foundation the choice/decision was based upon. I do this because I CHOOSE to remain very aware of the human condition and all it’s imperfections.
Merely existing is black and white. Right or wrong. Experiencing life and living is full of gray. Packed full of opportunities and valuable lessons.
smarterwiser 