I looked down at my stomach, stunned at the noise and wondering how it could have occurred without me feeling some kind of vibration.  While we were stopped at a light, I actually stared at my stomach for a moment, lost in thought.  My son finally, nudged me and said, "Mom, that was my stomach."  We both started laughing; I had blindly thought it was mine because I was hungry and he just thought it was just hilarious that I didn't know it was his. 

I actually assumed fault even though the evidence, had I paid any mind to it, told me it was not my stomach that had roared.  We laughed some more and quickly forgot about it.  He had stepped up and taken responsibility when he realized that I was just going to absorb accountability; funny how it worked out.  And it made me think of the many times I am willing to just assume in order to avoid confrontation or conflict of any kind.

While this can be a good trait, somewhat that of a peacemaker, it can also be turned into an opportunity to teach responsibility, to exhibit control by defining what just took place and assigning not so much blame, but more - culpability.  When we realize what our responsibilities truly are, then we are able to ascertain growth through that comprehension without feeling guilt or taking blame.  It is what it is.

And typically, it is just the way tasks are assigned or where responsibility happens to lie.  Sometimes, an assignment isn't even necessary;  sometimes, it the nature of the chips falling makes that choice for us.  I have no problem claiming fault, not only where it is due, but also where and when I think it will help.  Sometimes, we just need to acknowledge failure and move on, instead of protecting or trying to make it right.  Admission is half the battle - but only if that admission is on your own behalf.  It doesn't do anything to repair, initiate change, or benefit a rehab, of sorts.  

And, sometimes, a tummy growl is just that.