Obligation

June Word of the Month:

OBLIGATION

1. something by which a person is bound or obliged to do certain things, and which arises out of a sense of duty or results from custom, law, etc.
2. something that is done or is to be done for such reasons:to fulfill one's obligations.
3. a binding promise, contract, sense of duty, etc.

Why obligation?

Well it seems that I have a really hard time distinguishing which items on my agenda are truly obligations .

In an email yesterday I was reminded of an obligation that I have yet to fulfill. Truthfully while I was aware of it, I had done nothing to meet my commitment to it.

Today, I took the first (of many) steps to rectifying this.

Coincidentally, on a completely separate  issue, a situation,call it an opportunity was presented to me.

I chose to walk away.

The person who brought this to me was absolutely in shock that I would pass on this.

The last thing I want or need in my life is to take on an obligation, one that by all reckoning would be for a very very extended period of time,that I know I can absolutely do with out.

Could there possibly be an upside to what I walked away from?

Certainly not in the immediate future. 

Down the road?

No guarantees and certainly more pitfalls and aggravation than any possible positives. 

For me,walking away,not taking on a new obligation, was the only logical choice.

When I looked up the definition of the word , it became abundantly clear to me that I a) made the right choices and b) that moving forward I must,MUST,be more discerning before committing myself to any new obligations.

I decided today to take on one new obligation.

I am obliged to listen to the little voice inside of me more often than I have in the past.

That's an obligation I will do my best to live honor.