Many people drag the past back into the present. Others make excuses for poor choices. Still others waive personal responsibility onto circumstances. Others abandon themselves in favor of the modus operandi of their "shadow" side.
When arrested for drugs in her pockets, one movie starlit said, "These aren't my pants. I don't know anything about what's in the pockets." Another fashion model, upon being arrested for speeding, said, "This isn't my car so I'm not sure about the speedometer."
You may remember as a child if your mother caught you with your hand in the cookie jar, "The devil made me do it, mom." In fact, you wanted to satisfy your sweet tooth.
In today's world, people seek approval and love more than anything in their daily lives. If they fail to turn in their term paper on time, "I just didn't have enough hours in the day to get it done" instead of facing the fact that he-she spent the time absorbed by fleeting pleasures.
Others want to please friends rather than making themselves the most important person in their lives. They create a "shadow self" through their actions at work and at social gatherings. Realize this: everyone makes mistakes on their life journey.
You can "own" your mistake or you can make excuses. You may make little mistakes that minimally affect you. You might commit huge mistakes that cause you great consequences.
One the greatest lessons my father gave to me: "Son, if you tell a lie, you must cover it with more lies until one day, you cannot remember how to cover it. You face exposure, which eventually will undermine friendships and respect from others. I want you to know this son; you're going to make mistakes. Own them. You never have to 'cover' the truth. It runs straight and true for your entire life."
If you "run" a story about your life as an excuse for your current problems, failures or mistakes--take stock of that story. Own it, better yet, what drives your story and fabrication? Decide to change it. You always command a "choice" point in your life.
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