Jefferson, trying to deflect, said, “I can’t help it; I was born and raised this way.”

“Well, you better try to help it,” Ejeera demanded. “I ain’t gonna put up with that much longer.”

“Look, my dad is the same way. My grandpa is, too. My mom says I’m just like ‘em, and I can’t help it.”

Unsatisfied with his excuse, Ejeera shot back. “If you wanted to do better, you’d try to do better.”

“I have!” exclaimed Jefferson.

“Oh yeah? How?”

“I took the Myers-Briggs test. I took that DiSC assessment thing. I studied the CliftonStrengths. I even took that Enneagram test. I’ve done them all! They all keep telling me the same thing. I just am who I am, and there ain’t nothing I can do about it.”

Still annoyed, Ejeera broke down Jefferson’s response. “It sounds to me like you’ve just taken a bunch of tests to validate how you’re choosing to behave. What have you actually done to try to change? Better yet, what are you willing to do?”

~~~~~~~~~~

How many times have we tried to convince ourselves that we are not in control of how we behave, think, react, or struggle with something?

How often do we hear about someone’s life falling apart because the “sins of the father” were repeated while claiming to be a victim of DNA or upbringing?

If we make excuses for our actions or inactions, we are more interested in remaining a victim of our own imprisonment. If we want to improve our lives, we must be willing to do the work that is required.