Over-Responsibility: The Hidden Power Thief
None us have the right to determine how another person’s journey is carried out, nor when it’s reached it’s end.
We do not have the right to dictate when, where, or how another person should live. We do not have the right to dictate when, where, or how another person should die. Many people would argue with this – what about the addicts, the mentally ill, the emotionally manipulated? Don’t they need someone to take care of them? Well, yes, people do need help from time to time, but there are many ways to take care of someone without taking over and exhausting ourselves trying to control two, or sometimes even more, lives. We also don’t know what everyone else has come here to learn, to accomplish. As hard as it is, sometimes we need to go through hardships to grow.
Other beings deserve no less respect. We ‘own’ animals, we hunt animals, we use and abuse them no differently than we use and abuse Earth. Many people act as though animals are property, but in reality, we can’t ‘own’ another soul. My first thought when my dog died was that he shouldn’t have been alone. But that is what he chose. He went to a place that he clearly felt was right for him. He didn’t come looking for us, to lay down beside us. He purposely went to a peaceful little area in the shade of a tree, and laid down there to take his last breath. By assuming that I knew what he should have done and what would have been better for him, I disempowered him. I disrespected his choice and acted as though my opinion was the ‘right’ one. When I was able to recognize that reaction in myself, I was able to let go of guilt, respect his choice, and move into a state of grief that did justice to the bond that we had shared for so many years.
As we move through our lives, we will continue to have responsibilities. We can live up to these, gladly and lovingly, without overstepping and spilling ourselves out all over everyone else. Most of us have experienced feelings of over-responsibility for others. Most of us have had others try to take over for us. It’s uncomfortable no matter which end of it you’re on, and in order to free ourselves of these habits, we have to find the balance point where we share and grow together, without pushing our own agendas.
But where to start? We can try the following:
- Stay open to synchronistic events, they may offer solutions and guidance when dealing with loved ones and relationship struggles.
- Without seeking dominance over each other, share intuitive insights in unobtrusive ways, “…always looking out for the ‘best interests’ of others, and at the same time, striving to perceive something they need in order to manifest their dreams. If we give them this information, it feels Synchronistic to them and elevates their lives.” ~The Third Insight
- Overcome our own control dramas so they don’t impact those around us.
- Mediate and perform other spiritual activities that elevate our own energy levels and reduce stress.
- Develop stronger interpersonal ethics by uplifting and empowering those around us.
- Keep in mind that while we are all connected, we are also individuals. Each of us have a personal spiritual path and life mission to carry out.
Each interaction is a chance to evaluate where we are and where we need to go. Not one of us is perfect, and we do get caught up in each other’s dramas and energies, but each time we work through things while staying in our own lanes, we move further into balanced harmony and into synchronistic flow. Soon enough, this respectful, responsible way of being will become the norm, and over-responsibility will fade into a distant memory.
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