Almost no one wants the power to choose
We give it away wherever we can
Wanting the reward, but not the duties
That come joined at the hip with this power
Responsibility is one duty
Accountability is the other
There is no way to separate them
From the incredible power we all hold
Rights we all demand, duties we avoid
A minor detail we seem to forget
Is that consequences come with our choices
In a simple series called cause and effect
Blame is the only conduit through which
We can and do give away in bulk
Our power to choose to the object of blame
So we feel free while condemning the object
Bills, debt, and money we blame for our problems
Along with our job and the whole system
Insisting time is scarce, we have no choice
We are the victims, and no fault could be ours
Their guiltiness glorifies our cause
Setting us free within our own minds
From our duties and the consequences
And from our power to choose, but we know not
Anger, stress, sadness, fear, and criticism
Depression, hate, indifference, and jealousy
Pride, shame, guilt, vindictiveness, and worry
Aloneness, frustration, judgement, and doubt
Are simply different branches of blame
Through which we give our sacred power
To the one thing we detest the most
Helpless we feel, but at least not at fault
“I should,” “I want,” “I need,” and “I have to”
Are parasitic words sucking our power
But we would rather forfeit our birthright
Than acknowledge our responsibility
“I have no choice,” “He made me do it”
“She made me angry,” “He tried to hurt me”
When our kids say it, we see the fallacy
But when we say it, we buy every word
“The world’s too evil,” “The system is corrupt”
“He shouldn’t do that,” “It rains way too much”
Focusing on what’s outside our control
Needlessly our power is stolen again
But when we stop with the lies and the blame
The conduit closes, and our power returns
Along with our duties and consequences too
We now see our faults and know we can change
Our shackles break off, for now we can see
What felt like the truth was our own made-up story
That kept us in bondage from our true self
A being who can rise above these deceptions
Our ability to respond is quite a gift
Uniquely human making us as the gods
The more we use it, the more power we get
The more responsibility for our actions
The power to choose is the power to act
The power to respond and to take action
Towards what we thought we couldn’t do before
As the blame, excuses, and shackles melt away
Each day we have the power to choose between
Gaining more power to choose or giving it up
Between a life of freedom and liberty
Or captivity without choice in our own shackles
–Jason Westlake
Wed., November 15, 2006
