Consequences

“While we are free to choose our actions, we are not free to choose the consequences of our actions.”  ~Steven Covey

Today I write about consequences as I am plagued by those who don't relate them to their own actions. Too many people blame external sources for what happens to them. To be sure, there are times one is subjected to things beyond his or her control. Decisions still have to be made about those things forced upon us.  But more often than not, we have control of our lives through thoughtful evaluation of options and potential consequences.

Those who make decisions without forethought bring unwelcome consequences upon themselves. Mistakes made can be rectified by evaluating the situation and making course corrections. But when someone perpetuates the same behavior, resulting in repeatedly bad outcomes, who is to blame?

I daresay that all too often, a dysfunctional person is in denial about cause and effect of his own actions. Families perpetuate this behavior through complacent observation, their own denial or worse, support. Friends and family are sucked into the vortex of the individual's drama.

My message today is to ask you to dare to confront the difficult, if you care to help someone you love. If he or she is unable see the connection between his or her destructive decisions, confront   it. Do everything you can - before it's too late - if you want to save a life.