Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

March 2, 2015

“When you tie my hands to help you, I cannot deliver what you ask for nor will I try.”  -Ken Adams

Some people will ask you for help but are not willing to do their part, consider your suggestions, or follow through with the suggested actions; they have turned over responsibility for their wants and needs to you.  Unless you are the caretaker of another (child, elderly parent, or disabled individual), it is not appropriate to take on responsibility for someone else’s life.  At these times, stepping back and letting go is an appropriate action.

Am I working harder to change someone else’s life than they are?  Am I asking others to work harder at changing my life than I am?  What would appropriate support and responsibility look like?