“If you don’t run your own life, somebody else will.”
(John Atkinson)

Authority is a tricky thing, really. Sometimes we crave it over somebody else, like a child we think needs to behave, or a co-worker who needs to get something done. Sometimes we crave it over ourselves, like whenever we’re that child, or we’re that co-worker, being told what to do.

What’s most fascinating is when we crave for someone else to have authority over us:

• “Just tell me what to do!” we may say to a boss (or a therapist).
• “I just don’t want to have to make any more decisions,” we may say to a spouse, after a long day’s work (in or out of the home).

While this is okay and understandable at times, it actually reflects a sobering truth: We’re scared to have full authority over our lives. Why? With authority comes responsibility. Responsibility for our present state of mind. Responsibility for the future outcome of a current decision. Responsibility for everything we do, feel, say, believe, etc.

This is scary, because once we take full responsibility for our lives, who’d be left to blame?

Peace begins with pause,