Blaming Others Vs Taking Responsibility

I am lucky enough to be surrounded by people who put a lot of effort into their personal growth and self-awareness. I am stimulated by those who like to learn about themselves and who try hard to be aware of their behavior towards others.

When someone is hurtful or inappropriate, I begin to realize that they are probably struggling with something internally. I used to think it was something I did to cause them to treat me in an unpleasant way. I learned that I can’t force another person to take responsibility for their actions, but I can take responsibility for mine.

So instead of blaming others, I take a deep breath and remind myself that they are dealing with their own issues. I ask myself “Is there anything you could have done differently?”  I take personal inventory and try to learn from the situation for next time.