Start blaming yourself, when things go well and when they don't. You'll be better for it.
Last week, we wrapped up the vision kaupapa (theme) for the blog, which developed the whakaaro (idea) that no matter how our vision plays out - how we expect it to, or not - we must still take responsibility for it and for how we conduct ourselves. We exercise our rangatiratanga by determining for ourselves how to behave and act, rather than let our actions and behaviour be determined by external influences, such as the outcome of any event or situation.
So, in the spirit of flowing with what feels good and Māori (natural), our next kaupapa to explore is,
responsibility.
Look at it long enough and it starts to look like it's spelled incorrectly, anyway... it's defined as having a duty, being accountable or an obligation for something or someone. Another definition I like, being response-able or having the ability to respond (appropriately).
As highlighted in the last post, responsibility comes with expectation; parents and caregivers being responsible for the care and safety of their kids; a friend to remain sober if they're the designated driver; knowing which maunga (mountain) you're standing in front of...
Today we're gonna run with the last example. I was fed a lie for my whole life and told that a particular maunga was another.. lucky for me, I descend from both maunga so there was still a whakapapa (genealogical) connection, but my point is; for so many years I was told something that was not true. I was given fake news, and incidentally perpetuated that fake news to others as well. Until I was shown the light, acknowledged my mistake and corrected myself.
If I'm on the rangatiratanga/self-determining waka (wagon), which I am... it means I have to bite the bullet, swallow a little pride and take responsibility for my mistake and misinformation. I took it as gospel you know, I was taught it at a young age and didn't even think to question the geographical error. Oh, how many less problems we'd have in the world if we stopped once in a while to think critically about the information we consume.* Acknowledging the mistake or error is one thing, taking responsibility for it and for our conduct is something else.
But hey, guess what isn't fake news; taking responsibility is hard. It means that whatever the outcome, good or bad, we wear it and we're accountable for the consequences. It's so easy to own the process and outcome and be responsible when things go to plan, when we're winning at life and when we feel good. But when things go 'wrong', when the world is against us or when we're in an exposed position (to be criticised, vulnerable etc.) and under the pump at work/home - that's when responsibility seems to become negotiable rather than standard practice.
We're the product of our environment and it has been shaping us to pass on responsibility if we don't feel like it, to lay blame on external factors as reasons (excuses) why we haven't realised our potential or attained whatever form of success we desire.. our environment conditions us to believe that even our successes are due to other people or circumstances rather than by our own determination and will. It has drawn our focus outwards, when really, the power is and has been within us all along.
If you haven't already, start adjusting your focus inwards, back to you. Reel your attention in and take back control of the kai (food) you eat (knowledge, information, nutritional), for it will influence the way you translate it into action and behaviour. Take responsibility for who you are, what you're about and where you're going.
Ngā mihi,
Hana.
*Small scale and nobody got hurt, oh maybe my maungas feelings, but copy + paste this and on a larger scale we see have the issues around climate change, race-relations and inequality.