The Simple Dollar - Frugal Dad - A Favorite Blogger

Life is all about surprises, good and bad; blessings and not so happy situations; about humans who are not perfect.... I receive email updates from this writer and have always enjoyed learning and reflecting on his experiences. From August 3rd post:

It Doesn’t Matter If It’s Someone Else’s Fault

Posted: 03 Aug 2013 01:00 PM PDT

It doesn’t matter that some other driver damaged your car. It doesn’t matter that some evil boss caused you to lose your job or office politics have kept you from being promoted. It doesn’t matter that life seems to keep you from getting ahead. It doesn’t matter that your parents make you feel guilty about the choices you’re making.

It doesn’t matter if it’s someone else’s fault. What matters is how you deal with the situation you’re in.

You don’t have the job you want? Don’t sit around blaming someone else. Build some skills that an employer will want and you’ll soon have a much better job.

You don’t have any money in the bank? Don’t sit around blaming someone else. Start living more frugally, get control over your personal spending, and start putting some cash in the bank, starting with an emergency fund.

You can’t cut through the office politics? Don’t sit around blaming someone else. Start digging deep into the office political scene. Work hard to make some friendships and become part of the team.

You can’t deal with your evil boss? Don’t sit around blaming him or her. Start looking for a different job. For now, learn what your boss wants and do that (as long as within the realities of what your job should be). He’s the boss.

You can’t deal with your parents? Don’t sit around blaming them. It’s your life – have a talk with them about how you want to be spending your life. If they can’t deal with it, move forward anyway. They don’t control you.

It is incredibly easy to fall into a trap of blaming others for your problems. When you do that, it often excuses you from having to do anything about it. After all, it’s someone else’s fault, right?

Wrong.

It might be someone else’s fault that you’re in the situation you’re in, but you control the road forward from here. You are the one making the choice as to whether or not to do something about your predicament.

When you choose to do nothing – when you choose to blame others instead – then you are the problem. Not the people who put you in that situation. You.

If you want a better life, it’s up to you. It’s not about the person who’s holding you back or the people who put you in your current predicament.

You are the only one who can make the choice to stop spending, to start saving, to start working harder, to start building a career, to stop eating, to start exercising… you get the idea.

Stop blaming others. Look at yourself. Make a change.