Everyday, we're faced with decisions, but rarely do we make these decisions based on conscious choice and then take responsibility for these actions, accepting that these choices bring about our reality. This is especially true when our actions don't bring the desired result we'd hoped for. It's easier to blame other individuals for our disappointments. Heaven forbid we take a look in the mirror and acknowledge the role we played. While we may find ourselves in situations that we feel are not of our choosing, we are still responsible for how we handle the issue and blaming another is an easy way to take the responsibility off ourselves. We remain in victim mode, allowing the event(s) to control our emotions and our actions almost always follow the emotional reactions we project.

Taking responsibility means acknowledging our emotions in any given situation. If we project hatred, hatred is what we get in return. If we feel deceived, we will be deceived. If we feel hurt, we will continue to hurt ourselves. It's a never ending circle of emotional projection that can only be changed when we accept full responsibility for the part we played. Denial comes when our childish side moves to the front. The wounded, inner child part of us is always the victim. It has no control over emotional reaction and this is something only time and experience can bring. Wisdom comes from learning to accept the roles we place ourselves in and how those roles shape our very being.

Taking a good long look in the mirror is a painful experience. If it's not painful, we're not doing it right. We're not looking in the right places and we're only seeing the features of ourselves we want to see. It takes a lot of inner fortitude to look at our unattractive areas and see them for what they are. Sometimes these areas can be fixed. Sometimes they are damaged to the point that we feel nothing will be the same again. Send inner healing to these areas, for what you see in yourself is what you project into the world around you.

We need to recognize the areas of our lives that we've refused to accept responsibility for. The longer we deny their existence, the longer we stay in victim mode, allowing the wounded, inner child to control every aspect of our emotions. The programming of our inner child dictates emotional response, but programming can be changed and the inner child eventually grows up and accepts responsibility for who they are, what they will become and how they treat others. Our inner child is a vital part of who we are and there's a big difference between a wounded, suffering inner child and a healthy, well-adjusted one.

Copyright © 2003 Angel Shadow
My ancestry is Irish and Cherokee Indian and I have a gypsy spirit that refuses to be fenced in. I am definitely not a conformist. Much of my life was spent under the control of others. My childhood was full of abuse and neglect, which lead me to my volunteer abuse work. It also lead to anxiety and panic attacks, which I suffered from for years, so I'm dedicated to helping others in that area as well. I have now found my own personal freedom, based on my own personal truth and nothing could be more liberating. Find out more at Writing.com and MySpace.com.

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