Personal responsibility

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Every day we hear and talk about how there is increasing pressure for us to be better and better. Striving to be better every day, in all areas of our lives, is not something that society demands of us, as we might be led to believe....

This level of demand does not actually come from the people around us, or those we deal with on a daily basis, or even from society.

We should always strive to be the best version of ourselves. This should not be something we see as an inglorious sacrifice, but quite the contrary, it should be something to strive for. Trying to do better every day, and not giving up, even if for a period of time we are not at our best.

As some of you know, I am Catholic. And the fact that I am ends up being a great advantage for me. Let me explain why. Those who are not believers see faith in God as something that imprisons them, immobilizes them, or constrains them from certain thoughts and/or actions. I think exactly the opposite. Jesus always told his followers, the crowds, and his disciples that we should use our gifts for the benefit of others and not hide them under a bushel.

Do you know of a phrase or idea that accurately conveys how we should approach our lives? I honestly don't think so. Something as small as a mustard seed can give rise to one of the largest trees in nature. We have heard this phrase many times. And that is how our lives are. If we put our gifts and talents at the service of others, we will become greater and better people.

Let us embrace the personal responsibility of changing, even if only a little, the reality that surrounds us. Let us make a difference. No matter how small our action may be, it will certainly generate a response... And from that response, other waves and ripples will follow.

^{Free image from Pixabay.com
Original text written by me in Portuguese and translated with DeepL.com (free version)}