Last night was back to school night. I was amazed at what Princess V’s teacher reinforced for me last night.
Responsibility. Yep….Self Responsibility….
Her teacher told us all the expectations she had. She even commented on how it may appear strict but she knows that over the years, having high expectations, the kids live up to them. She expects them to be responsible for their own actions. It is their responsibility to do homework everyday, to live up to the agreement in the contract they made as a class. She teaches them to cook. They participate in helping in the school garden, cooking fresh foods, recycling and “real life” experiences.
It reminds me of my own journey. What it all boils down to…..is living up to an expectation, a high expectation and doing my home work everyday. Home work isn’t really work, it is just practice, being constant, building habits.
Instead of living in the dream or the want or the excuses…..My high expectation was the full blown commitment. The commitment to be responsible in how I treat myself. Not whether it is right or wrong, but whether it fits into what I say or believe.
To be part of the whole, I need to be individual and responsible to THAT…
Yesterday was a perfect example for me. There was a lunch meeting at work. I was responsible for picking up the food. Lunch was a variety of pizza, salad, soda, and cookies for desert. Oh the smell of the pizza…Oh the temptation of the cookies… (Had a LOT of cookie temptation lately)
So what did I do? I took care of me FIRST. I set up the lunch…ran upstairs (yes…RAN up the stairs) sat at my desk, ate my tuna and lettuce sandwich on a whole wheat sandwich thin, grabbed my water bottle, and headed down to the meeting. I fixed my plate with a large salad…a teaspoon of dressing and joined in.
I did not have to deny myself the pleasure of people’s company and NO ONE realized that I didn’t eat pizza. That feeling of being responsible to myself is so rewarding.
What can you do today…what home work…to live up to being responsible to YOU!
A very important person in my life once told me,
“Commitment means you do it, or you die trying to do it.”
I think of that phrase every day of my life.
Jules, how do you do that? Write about what is important for me to think or do? I’ve lagged behind with a promise to, once a week, have a special time for a different or new adventure. Responsibility to myself…morning off the computer. Ha!
http://www.juneahern.com
We had Back-to-School night last night too. My last one!
I am impressed with how you handled the pizza yesterday. I hope I remember that the next time I am faced with a similar challenge.
Good for you! Pizza and cookies always tempt me too… and I love work lunches. I’m going to remember your tip about eating my sandwich at the desk first.
When I was reading, at first I thought you were going to take the tuna sandwich into the work lunch and I was thinking *no, no! Hope not!* because I was afraid the conversation would turn to, oh wow, tuna and not pizza and all your coworkers saying oh just one piece of pizza won’t hurt. etc. all the usual.
Good for you!!!
WTG, Jules! Pizza has been my downfall lately..groan..kudos to you for taking care of you FIRST!
Loved this post because it got me thinking. I want to and need to live up to my expectations. I need to do my homework. Thanks!