If The Consequences Make You Think Twice - Don't

You've seen them.

There are always video circulating on Facebook and YouTube of people who are caught in the act. And of course, they have NO idea what you're talking about when confronted.

Like the little 2-year old boy with ice cream and sprinkles on his face being asked by his mom if he was the one who got into the ice cream and sprinkles. He denies it.

She continues to ask him if he is sure he hasn’t eaten any sprinkles.

"Nope," he says.

She points to the chair pushed up next to the counter where there is dried ice cream, and spilled sprinkles, and asks if he knows how it got there.

"Uh uh," he grunts.

Appearing worried, she then asks him if he saw anyone come in the house and push the chair up to the counter and eat the ice cream and spill the sprinkles?

He continues with his story of not knowing anything.

She asks him one last time.

He says, frustrated, "Mom, I didn't do it," with absolute certainty!  (As best a two-year-old can) 

Of course, he ate the sprinkles!

And we know he pushed the chair to the counter and made the entire mess.

But he's refusing to admit his role. He won’t take responsibility.

He knows, even at that early age, that what he did was wrong, and that there were consequences to come. Probably consequences he wouldn't like, so he sticks to lying.

Clearly though, at two-years-old, he's not sophisticated enough to wipe his mouth clean of the evidence!

How often have we as adults been in a similar situation?

When we know the impending outcome to our actions is, on the surface, more painful than telling the truth?

So we avoid it if we can. We may try and skirt around taking responsibility. We either deny, or deny and then blame someone or something to take the heat off us?

I can certainly raise my hand.  I am sure you can too. (or am I the only one?)

Whether it is a little white lie or a doozey of a lie.  We've probably ALL been in similar situations where it just seems like the better choice.  But is it?

Taking responsibility is ALWAYS best.

When we take responsibility and say – "yes, I did that" or, "yes I forgot to do that," or "I am sorry for what I did," even though the initial reaction may be negative and depending on the indiscretion, may result in a severe punishment such as losing a job or ending a relationship, in the end, it is always the best decision. 

Responsibility is defined as the state or fact of being accountable for something within one’s power, control or management.

Everyone makes mistakes or indiscretions of varying degrees.  That is part of being human.  Taking responsibility is the best way of handling those mistakes and beginning the healing path to becoming whole again.