As I talked with a friend today about experiences we’ve had in our spiritual journeys, she said this word to me – respondability. It was in the context of discussing one’s willingness to dig deep within themselves to see truths, good and bad, and the courage to respond to those truths positively and restore balance. It’s a good word.

Looking within is an uncomfortable business. Few are willing to do it with honesty. A fair number of people go to great lengths to sell a perception rather than present the person they really are. It’s very sad to think about. They cannot accept themselves, so they assume no one else can accept them either. Sad.

At the same time, the antics of this kind of deception are irritating to me. Histrionic and narcissistic personalities are the biggest disruptors to my inner peace. I’ve never had much patience with those types. It is one of my bigger challenges when it comes to “loving my neighbor”, and a truth I need to dig up and resolve.

I recently read one author’s point of view that Jesus loved people so much that he did not hesitate to make them aware when they needed to make a correction. He saw their highest potential and wanted to see them meet it. It is important that we also help one another in this way, but not without being aware of our own faults. That is to say, don’t judge even the most irritating people. Find a way to respond to difficult people and situations in a way that will be helpful and truthful. Respondability…..the ability to respond responsibly.

It is difficult to be human. We could all use regular lessons in respondability no matter where we are on our spiritual journey.