Responsibility

You are responsible for you. You are not responsible for anyone else's happiness, nor are they responsible for yours. Seems simple, right?

OK, let's take this a step further. You are responsible for your own feelings, good and bad. You are not responsible for the feeling of others, good or bad. Other people are not responsible for your feelings, good or bad. I think I'm a little dizzy . . . . .

OK, let's try this again. Let's just assume that we are all generally good people. We don't want to rule the world, commit any sort of genocide, or enslave our communities. That being said, as long as we spend our days feeling good and being in a happy state of mind we will have a positive effect on the world around us.

You can't live your life worrying about what everyone else is thinking or feeling. (Unless you are a counselor or shrink, I guess.) It is not your job, nor is it any of your business, to try to make others feel good or bad or anything at all. Your actions may have effects on others, but to try to control what other people's reactions are is just crazy! (This is assuming that we are all generally good people...)

If we spend our time thinking about being happy and appreciating everything, we will be happy. That will naturally overflow and affect others in a good way. That doesn't mean we are to blame if they are or aren't happy. Happiness is a choice for each individual to make for him/herself.

Let's just keep these few simple things in mind:

• You are responsible for your own feelings and happiness
• You are NOT responsible for anyone else's feelings or happiness
• No one else is responsible for your feelings and happiness

This doesn't mean we should have zero consideration for others. This means the actions of someone being a good person will not cause harm or grief to others. If you are being a good person you needn't worry about harming anyone, because your actions, words, and intentions are all benevolent. Because you are happy, you will have an abundance of good to share with everyone else!

This does mean that even though the hurtful actions of others are unpleasant, you have the power to let it go or let it control you. It is your choice.

So choose smiles over sorrow and beauty over bitterness.

Above all else choose love.