Blame

I am presently “working” my way through Michael Brown’s book The Presence Process.  I say working my way through because it is just that; a gift, a tool that has delivered thus far what it has promised.  It is bringing me into me and in the course of this exercise I am at that part where it speaks of the trinity that results when I react instead of respond to a situation that crosses my path.  I absolutely loved what Michael did with the word blame.  He simply pointed out that the result is, when I blame, I will b(e)lame!  Before I read on any further I knew that to be a truth without any need to think or analyze.  It simply is.

Later on in the chapter, Michael says,

“We have betrayed ourselves, because when we blame another we disempower our Soul by declaring it to be enslaved to circumstances that are seemingly beyond its control.”

Now, how marvellous is that statement!  I would not sit in front of a mirror and look at self and declare to self you are a slave; a slave to anything, and yet if what Michael is suggesting is true, that is exactly what I am doing when I blame some one or some thing outside of self, for what is going on in self!  That’s a pretty scarey thought to think that his person is at the mercy of absolutely everything that does not make up this person – ergo, all that is in the world I am a slave to and must do its bidding!

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I am not adverse to speaking my mind or taking a stand.  Those aren’t bad things, and they utterly defy such a ridiculous suggestion that I dance to the world around me, without any choice!  The thing about my speaking or taking a stand, I have found, is of itself not a “bad” thing; it’s how I do it.  Do I react (firey, angry, explosive) or to I respond; simply address the issue in a calm and collected way?  I admit that most of my life has been spent in a reactionary state and thus, conclude it is because I have blamed (people, places and things) for what is not going so right in my life!

I do not want to b(e) lame; a cripple at the mercy and requiring the hand of everyone around me in order to function.  So why would I want to continue to blame another?  In learning this, is this not food enough, reason enough, to be rid of blame?  I am responsible.  I have choice (YHWH gave all humankind choice).  What’s been missing is taking responsibility and making right choices.  If I can wed these two, get them in harmony….restoration of harmony within, well, must I conclude that the exterior (a reflection of my interior) will be in harmony with me?

Blame – be rid of blame, and especially pointing the finger of blame back at yourself.  Take responsibility, self-examine and see where I, the imperfect human, perhaps made the wrong choice, learn from it and move on.  Admitting that I do not have all the answers, that I am not perfect, but am on a journey towards perfection – well in order to enjoy the journey, I must be in the moment.  When I blame outside of self, and even self, I get lost in the thoughts of yesterday’s actions that went awry and possibilities of repercussions tomorrow – and completely miss the moment I am living in.