“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 don’t want to have to make any 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 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?