In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
A colleague of mine looked at me last week, we were discussing the concept of insight, and how it’s not always possessed by everyone. He said, “no matter what is going on in my life, or has gone on, whether amazing or catastrophic, the one constant has always been me.”
Truth bomb.
I am the constant. Through the shitstorms, and the amazeball, moments, I am the constant. And just as I am so affected by the moments, by the events, the ups, and the downs, I have the ability to affect those right back. In no way do I believe I have control over others or what may or may not happen in my life, but I have complete control over my perspectives, my perceptions, my thoughts, my feelings, and ultimately, my choices.
I am responsible. For my decisions, my actions and reactions. I am the constant.
It’s easy to look outward, to blame, and to point my finger. To assign responsibility, to feel helpless. But the truth is, the Universe is not so concerned about me. Others are not so concerned about me, but rather their own fate, their own choices, their own determinants.
Insight
—noun
- an instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, especially through intuitive understanding;
- penetrating mental vision or discernment; faculty of seeing into inner character or underlying truth.
If I am responsible for my choices, for myself, for my growth, then the only decision is to own it. To be accountable, to look inward and not outward, when things are difficult and I’m struggling, but also when they are awesome and I’m on top of the world. And if I can shape who I am and who I want to be, I choose to be present. To be brave. And to be kind. After all, it just might have a ripple effect 💚
Naturally Calamity Jane 
I get your point but for me constant is sth that doesn’t change and we are precisely the opposite. Change means constant growth. I am not the same person 2 years ago, 2 months ago, 2 days ago.
Sometimes we change for the better, sometimes for the worse but we do change. I’d call the constant some relationahips and, though they undergo changes too, they remain constant, they are our rocks (like family).
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I absolutely agree that we change and grow. And I’m not the same person I was even last month. But I’m still the constant in my life. I’m the only person who is consistently in my life, all the time. And I’m solely responsible for all of my choices and decisions. Just me. Constantly.
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Oh I don’t know about myself any more. Am I consistently in my life, all the time? I very much doubt it. I’m floating around, I’m here and there, I’m in a million places at the same time. True, I AM responsible. I still wonder about dozens of choices, though.
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