When something goes awry, we tend to blame. We find a foe we can point at and touch with our hands rather than internalizing responsibility. We point our fingers at one another. Name and blame.
The results are tragic. The casualty of blame is often broken relationships and wrecked opportunity for happiness.
Healthy community is one of the greatest blessings in life, and it thrives when we hold to a common purpose. But unity doesn’t occur without good leadership. The good news is that each of us can provide that leadership. It is a matter of choosing a true perspective and making good choices.
The foundation of leadership is taking responsibility for things we can control. We can’t control others. So there is no real benefit to blame. What is within our control is taking action to seek the truth. Without truth, unity dumbs down to conformity, which requires submission to a tyrant. One of the primary weapons of a tyrant is blame.
When we name another person as our enemy, we misdirect our emotions, make imperfect choices, and leave potential on the table. There is a better way. We can take responsibility to discover the truth, and invite others to join in. Taking responsibility does not mean taking control. It means seeking what is true.
When we make the choice to lead we sow the seeds of peace and unity, and lay the foundation for the blessings that flow from participating in a vibrant community.