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An Excuse can kill a Dream 3/27/2008 10:11:55 PM
We are our own worst enemy! How many times have you heard people say, "I could have done that but..." or "It's too hard and..." or the ever present "It isn't my fault I couldn't..."
People make up so many excuses for why things are not being done the way they want. I am no different. It is so easy to place the blame on anything, or anyone else other than one's self. For to place the blame squarely where it belongs, one's self, then doesn't that force one to admit they are lacking.
The world around us gives ample opportunities to succeed. We have but to reach out our hand to grab them. But all too often many allow 'pefectly sound' reasoning to get in the way. By perfectly sound, I mean any excuse that gives one the illusion the fault of not acting belongs elsewhere.
'I'm fat because of McDonalds...'
'It is the business' fault that I was too preoccupied to notice the wet spot and thus slipped.'
'I can't get a job because I'm...(fill in with any number of reasons)'
Have we become a people so devoid of self relience, and self accountability, that we must find blame for our failures and pratfalls on others? Isn't it truely ourselves who are in charge of our destiny?
My grandparents were part of what was known as 'The Greatest Generation'. They survived the fall of the stock market, the depression, WWII, all with perseverance and the belief in their own abilities. Sometimes while I watch the news I get the feeling that we are sinking into the Worst Generation. One of whiners, layabouts who feel society owes them, and many more people who bring society to a standstill.
I'm getting off topic so let me return. Too many opportunities pass us by because we allow them. Is it fear? Maybe. It is laziness? In some small capacity I'd have to say yes.
Case in point. My son has a 'thing' at school that he wants me to go to. It's during the day and while I could easily attend, and thereby making him happy, my first instinct is to try and come up with an excuse why I can't.
Why?? Am I so adverse to being at his school? Am I too lazy to get off my butt and drive the half mile and spend an hour of my time with my son? I don't think that is it.
I'm beginning to think it may be conditioning. As a society we are so used to making excuses for things, that it is beginning to creep into more and more aspects of our lives.
If someone kills someone, society immediately tries to develope a theory on why he killed, that it wasn't his fault due to exteraneous circumstances. Can't we just look at the crime, say he killed someone, and that is it? Again excuses.
Perhaps the above example is a bit extreme, but you get the idea of what I am trying to say.
Try something for one day. Be consciously aware of any and all excuses you give. Were they valid? Why did you give them? And did you really need to?
Perhaps this exercise could reveal a side to us that many don't realize they have. With any luck, excuses for things which should already have happened, or ones blocking chance opportunities will grow more and more infrequent.
Just something to think about.
