One key element of humanity is that we are a communal society – we seek to have and be connected with others. Our history validates that when we work and play together for a common good so much more bounty is available for everyone. When we form small groups of extreme perspectives not only is the bounty for everyone reduced but even the small group does not ultimately benefit from their actions or direction.
This Thursday we celebrate the United States “Thanksgiving.” Traditionally a time to gather with family and friends to give and be thankful for the bounty of harvest but more importantly the freedoms we have here in our country. It can sometimes be challenging to hear of the various views of topics which are bantered around the dining room table, but we must remember to be thankful that we live here in the US where we can still speak of these differences.
In the mid 1950’s the automotive seatbelt or safety belt came onto the scene. Although originally not well accepted by motorists when it was a plus cost option, the seatbelt became pretty much standard in vehicles by the 1960’s. Today is National seatbelt safety day and as such do your loved ones a favor and buckle up.
On this day where we Americans are given the opportunity to vote, we cannot and should not take this privilege lightly. Our republic grants U.S. citizens the right to elect our governance. It is imperative that each of us commit to understanding the ramification of our actions when voting. Each and every vote counts.
When we lack ownership, do not take responsibility, feel entitled and evolve to a place where we are apathetic, we do not find peace. We discover a presence of anxiousness which further pushes us away from building ourselves up as we see through the lens of tearing things down by giving opinions of blame and pointing fingers. It is up to us to be responsible and take full and complete ownership of our actions and opinions.
With all the numbing opinions and self-entitlement that seems to proliferate in our society, it is very easy to become more and more apathetic to so many causes. This place of emotionless feeling for any number of topics allows for reduced ownership of a positive outcome and promotes the pointing of fingers to everyone else but ourselves.
Entitlement without ownership, responsibility and accountability is just taking what you feel is yours without contributing to the betterment of the overall situation. Being entitled and earning entitlement are as far apart as night and day or oil and water. Entitlement does not mix well for a quality life in society.
Being responsible appears to be a tall order these days. It takes discipline and belief in oneself to own what is yours to contribute and when it fails then you must also be big enough to take it as a learning opportunity rather than to point or redirect it away from you and cause blame to be placed where it is not appropriate.
In our time when it seems everyone has an option and that their opinion is truth, we need to think about real ownership of one’s opinions. Opinions are an important part of allowing each person to express a view or thought about something, but we must take ownership that if or when an opinion is challenged and proven to be different, we must respect the additional insights and concede our opinion to a new truth.
Creativity is the incubator for adapting to change. Change is inevitable so we must open ourselves up to seeing life through the lens of creativity, so we are not burdened with fear but blessed with opportunities.