Lack of Commitment

There was a clear lack of commitment when that did not get done, they divorced, the project was late, she resigned, he was downsized, it got out of control, she did not graduate.

It is easy to judge. The truth is we do not have enough information to judge others when it comes to commitment. There are valid reasons to break commitments. There are examples of a lack of commitment also. We rarely have enough information to judge.

Commitment is a challenge to our own personal integrity. Only we can determine the level of commitment we had in our heart when results did not come. Focusing on personal responsibility to commit and to determine if lack of our personal commitment was a factor in an outcome is the only true way to address commitment.

A major issue for commitment is time. Are we only obligated to commit in the beginning? Are we free to cease commitment because of what we see? Are we poised to remove ourselves if we suspect ”they” are not committed? Commitment implies a dedication from start to finish, no matter what, barring unacceptable behavior or obstacles. The weakness in our English language implies we commit at the beginning, continue to commit if circumstances warrant, and declare we were commited if results are successful.

We will have discovered on our joyful pursuit of happiness commitment is a delicate balance of doing what it takes, no matter what, and of coming to believe it is time to bow out. Taking this lightly, blaming others and/or circumstances for the reason to bow out can lead to a series of paths of regret.

Positive Attitude

A positive attitude. That’s everything! The right attitude all the time and we can do anything.

That would be a very easy way out for anyone. On OneRoad Traveled we find we are not able to have a positive attitude all the time. It would mean we feel everything in our past is positive, we feel everything we have done is positive, and we feel we are positive about succeeding in everything.

Attitude is one of the many balance challenges on our journey.

We will have discovered on our joyful pursuit of happiness it is best to embrace our positive attitudes and manage our negative attitudes. They are equally important and add fuel to who we are.

 

Self-centered Behavior

We will have discovered our purpose on this earth is not to simply satisfy ourselves. Our purpose is unique to each of us. It is focused on service to others and helping life grow.

Self-centered behavior is needed at times on our journey. We must take care of ourselves; physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Also, once our values and beliefs are developed and strong, we will find the need to stand up for these.

The balance of our behavior focused on others and other life compared to the focus on ourselves is one of the most difficult balance subjects on our joyful journey. The best balance for each of us varies. We will have discovered the best place to land is to focus mostly on others and other life without ever permitting the focus on ourselves to be dangerously low.

Consistent Behavior

Consistent behavior helps us build character, relationships, strengths, successes, and more. Like many great things, it can be overdone and become a weakness. We will have discovered it can be beneficial to have:

behavior that is consistent

• With our beliefs
• with our purpose
• with our promises and commitments
• with who we really are
• with our daily needs
• with the goals we set

Consistent behavior can become a weakness when we get stuck in our routines. We will have discovered a need to strike a balance between consistency and the personal growth that comes from creativity, risk taking, spontaneity, and intentional change.

Structured Behavior

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness might suggest each of us can do anything legal, anytime. There is a great deal of truth in that; however, constant unplanned, reactionary behavior doesn’t work for any of us.

We discover primarily imposed structures from birth to leaving high school. Eventually, our human nature causes us to cry freedom and have a bias toward self centered and immediate gratification type behavior. In today’s world it has become more of the attitude and temptation than ever before.

It is very challenging to embrace the reality that choosing our own structured behavior is the highest expression of freedom we humans can attain. We will have discovered defining our daily routines and ongoing habits, combined with providing a balance of opportunities over time for spontaneous actions and pleasures, is the true definition of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.