RESPOND-ABILITY

Old Dog shouts, “Responsibility should be read as "respond ability" or the ability to respond.” “One can only be responsible for something they have control over.”

Would it makes sense for you to apologize for the weather or hold someone else responsible for causing rain or snow ? It would be ridiculous because weather is not controlled by humans. When you can fully grasp and practice this obvious dynamic,  you can open yourself to clearing much off your own emotional plate. All the energy that one expends trying to control things you 

In a loud whisper, Old Dog says, "You don't have to become an alchoholic to say the Serenty Prayer."

Confused ? Old Dog says “You should be.” Our culture frequently sets us up for having a lack of boundaries and misfocus by teaching us false and sloppy language. Phrases like, “You made me angry” lead us down a path of abdicating ownership of our feelings. Unless, we fully own our feelings then we are at risk that they will not be expressed or release. When, we place the blame or responsibility on others for our feelings lose any sense coping. Essentially, it is like handing a “remote control” over our emotions. We will not be able to have full access to our coping and control. Our focus on others will require that we change them inorder to have our feelings resolved. Old Dog says, “Change other  people ? Good Luck !”

This doesn’t mean that we might say, “When you did that or when that happen I felt such and such.” The emphasis on the “I” statement once again keeps you in the “driver seat” of your life.

And also even being paranoid has basis in consensus reality. Old Dog reminds, “Often, when you look in the rear view mirror, you see people are following you !”

By maintaining an internal orientation of your emotional energy, you are able to access the free and fluid release and expression of feelings. By practicing more clearly continually owning your feelings, you also protect yourself against the dumping of blame or projection of their own story on you.  

Sure, no one really likes having to clean up their own “crap”. With a wicked smile, Old Dog winks, “Why do you think, I like being a dog ?” Wicked laugh, “Who do you think really controls the leash ?”