My Responsibility Mantra

Dear Reader,

A few months back I took inventory of the things going on in the world that I care about, examined how I could affect change, and looked at where I just had to let things go. I wanted to be effective in the ways in which I create change, but there is only so much one person can do in any 24 hour window of time. It is easy to want to change the world, but it can sometimes be hard to figure out where to start. I sat down with a pen and paper and wrote down all of the things I was responsible for, all of the things that I can make the choice to do, that have the power to accomplish good. Pasted to the inside of one of my many journal covers is this mantra. It helped me to discover balance with all the things I want, and all the things I can control. I encourage you to figure out your own mantra.

My Responsibility Mantra 

I am responsible, knowing that there is no humanity in a person who does not take responsibility for their own actions.

I am responsible for loving others – the ones that deserve it, and the ones that seem not to.

I am responsible for listening to others, without trying to look for reasons to change them.

I am responsible for my own actions and inaction, and whatever the consequences come from that choice.

I am responsible for thinking critically about things and seeking to understand fully before jumping to conclusions.

I am responsible for the hate that has resulted from speaking inaccurately about things I do not understand.

I am responsible for the love that is generated from treating others well.

I am responsible for seeing and defending those who are marginalized in my community.

I am responsible for taking care of my earth, in the small ways that I can on the daily.

I am responsible for creating opportunities to learn for those in our society who are misinformed or live with limited knowledge.

I am responsible for recognizing and honoring my own limitations in experience and understanding.

I am responsible for giving my journey, my knowledge, and my heart a voice so that others may see life from a different perspective.

I am responsible for listening to the perspective of others so that I may make more careful and conscious decisions.

I am responsible for my time, and making sure to use it wisely.

I am responsible for my own rest.

I am responsible for making healthy decisions for my own personal, emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.

I am responsible for the things I say ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to.

I am responsible for not letting my heart and talents be wasted on that which is meaningless and self-serving.

I am responsible to use the advantages my life was undeservingly dealt to pour life into the broken, to feel for the weak, to fight for the forgotten, and to love even the most hard-to-love people.

I am responsible.

Love & Light,

Taylor