Here I sit at the Toyota dealership, waiting for my car to be returned to me, in exchange for a couple thousand dollars, of course!  That’s right, I said thousands, not hundreds.  Not only am I getting my (car’s) 90,000 mile check-up, but I am also having all sorts of other things done – to address the fact that my engine light came on today.  Ugh.  And this is on top of the vet appointment (and subsequent medications) this morning, the dentist appointment tomorrow at which I’ll be getting a get a new crown, the dermatologist appointment that’s coming up, the house work I am in search of a service provider for, and the numerous other items I’ll be taking care of this week, this month, this year, and so on…

Sure, this wallet-drain hurts, and yet, overall, I remain grateful.  Why?  First of all, as painful as it is, I am able to make these payments (with a little help from my plastic “friends”).  And, I am certainly grateful for having the dogs in my life, as well as the car, the house and, of course, my teeth and skin!  I am also grateful that I can see that taking responsibility now is a much better way to live than waiting until later to do so.  What agony that particular brand of procrastination can ultimately be – the worry, the shame, and the plummeting self-esteem that goes along with it. If it sounds like I know what this feels like, it’s because I do.

But somewhere along the way, I turned a corner into adulthood, and on most days now, I see that responsibility is not about agony, the way irresponsibility is, but responsibility can actually be a joy, and can open the door to even more good things!

It took me long enough to get here, but I am finally an adult (on most days, as I said).  Whew!   Anyone else want to join me?  Who knows where we might end up – maybe even making up our beds and cleaning our rooms, and liking it! 

Be Sociable, Share!

• 

Laura Biering has an infectious zeal for coaching people who want to do enlivening work and live inspired lives. She's fired up about the power of taking risks - great and small - and the rewards that come as a result. She's also passionate about (1) creativity and authenticity and their potential to change the world, (2) frolicking with her adorable four-legged children, and (3) retreating with those she loves at her farm in Southeast Georgia, Brinson's Race. Visit her website at True Voices.
Email this author | All posts by Laura Biering