Accountability and responsibility can produce joy.

“The happiest people in the world are those who feel absolutely terrific about themselves, and this is the natural outgrowth of accepting total responsibility for every part of their life.” – Brian Tracy

On occasion, there is a quote that is particularly difficult for me to write about. This is one of them. There are key words and phrases that stand out among others in this quote that are convicting, challenging and at times embarrassing when I examine my life in comparison to how I should perceive myself. For example, the use of superlative words and phrases such as “happiest”, “absolutely terrific”, “total responsibility” and “every part” hit me with emotions that I find hard to admit. I’ll highlight a few so you understand where I’m coming from.

Happiest – I consider myself happy, an individual that enjoys humor, comedy, fitness exercises, mediation on God’s word, but I cannot say that I’m the “happiest” in comparison to others, nor do I feel absolutely terrific. In fact, many times I fall embarrassingly short. So the real question is, “How or what am I falling short in”? That is found in the other set of superlatives.

Total Responsibility – I will confess that I don’t always take total responsibility. Examples of this are finding excuses, explaining circumstances that are portrayed as out of my control, lacking the initiative to see a task all the way through. Yes, I agree with Brian Tracy’s comment as a whole, but it becomes a greater conviction when I consider “every part of my life”.

Frankly, the above lack of responsibility will occur within my family and specifically my marriage. There are probably a lot of couples that will join me in the humorous phrases such as “selective hearing”, “men incapable of multi-tasking especially when food is involved”, and “not expressing emotions or detail about daily activities”. Well, you get the picture.

How about you? Do any of these confessions ring true for you? Its not easy to face the truth and it’s even more challenging to make the necessary changes. Blessings to you and your family, may you have the conviction and the courage to make positive change.