In the fields of Physics and Statistics there is a natural phenomenon known as entropy. In a nutshell, the theory of entropy claims that life gets less predictable and more complicated over time. Through time, life seems to get more chaotic so it stands to reason that the longer we live, the more suffering we will have to endure.
Entropy is most often applied and observed in situations that demand complicated calculations. For example, scientists use entropy in their models to help predict and calculate the movement of galaxies and stars as they move through time. In terms of science, entropy (or increased complexity over time), is a fact of life!
When it comes to the science, I’ll leave that to the scientists!
For me though, the theory of entropy leaves me wanting a better explanation of why things act the way they do. In my eyes, it doesn’t address a fundamental component of our shared reality and existence—that is, the theory of entropy doesn’t account for the observerof the entropy or unpredictability.
In other words, entropy might occur without question, but is that a bad thing?
Reality consists of two critical components. There is the event — or what you might call what happens in life — and then there is the interpretation of the event by the observer.
As we’ve discussed in earlier posts, there is no such thing in life as good or bad. Without someone to observe the events of life, things would just be random and inconsequential. But because we are here to witness our life, we have the luxury of choosing how it’s interpreted.
Once you see this, you realize your life is ultimately contingent upon a series of endless decisions.
How do I want to see this tragedy?
Why is this happening to me?
Why did so and so do such and such?
Each event gives us an opportunity to respond or react. Each time “bad” things happen to us we have a choice: Will I be accountable for my own life or will I blame others or external circumstances?
To me the answer is clear.
If you knew that your interpretation of life is what dictates how you experience life, then why would you ever choose to complain about others or complain about your life’s circumstances? Why would you ever give up the right (or the privilege of life) to choose how you navigate through your existence and interpret the events that happen to you?
The truth is, when we blame other people for our problems we lose control of our lives. If someone else is to blame for your problems, then do you really have any say in the resolution? If it’s not your fault that life has been hard on you then who has the power to make it better?
Can you see the fatal flaw here?
No one has control over your life besides YOU. No one can make you feel a certain way or act a certain way. Instead, we must choose over and over again to take control of our minds, our bodies and our lives.
We must own our failures and more importantly, our successes. When you are in control of every interpretation you make, it’s like taking control of the wheel and driving the bus of life for the first time.
Every time you are accountable for your life, you build resilience. You see that you can endure life’s challenges and that you are always stronger than you thought. You see that you have the power to be the author of your life, not just a character—if you don’t like the story, then write a new chapter.
Now, I am not suggesting that life will be without challenges when you are accountable for your own circumstances. There will inevitably be trials and tribulations.
What I am suggesting here is that with mindfulness, you can transcend your problems. You can see when your mind goes into default mode and begins to blame others and you can then choose a different path—a path of understanding and ownership.
I encourage you during your next meditation session to see if you can notice where you’re still unconsciously blaming someone or something in your life. Ask yourself, is there something in my life I’m still not being accountable for?
Unfortunately, we cannot choose to be accountable or to think better thoughts if we aren’t mindful of the thoughts that persist in our minds right now. You don’t know what you don’t know, and you can’t fix what you don’t know. Mindfulness is particularly helpful in living an intentional, less-stressed life.
Give it a try! See what happens in your life when you own your circumstances. Stop wasting valuable time and energy blaming things and people you can’t control. Stop allowing someone else to dictate your life and start living on your own terms!
Thank you as always for taking the time to read our blog. Let us know if you have played the blame game in your life. How did it impact you? What did you do to take back control of your circumstances and how did your life change when you did?
Until next time, many many blessings!
