I know. I know this doesn’t sound uplifting, but hang on and read on.

The root meaning of the word sin is to miss the mark. The word entitlement means the fact of having a right to something.

The sin of entitlement is the common notion or belief that someone is deserving of some particular reward or benefit without having earned it in a real or principled sense.

There are those individuals who take advantage of entitlement benefits that were put in place for those who need them by a principled legal authority and precedent, unfortunately leaving loopholes for the un-entitled to slip through.

Friends and foes alike tell me there will always be a group of people who take advantage of any system so they don’t have to earn their way. They have a sense of entitlement to any benefit whether they’ve earned it or not.

This not only weakens a beneficial system, it also weakens a human soul.

The sin is that the goals we want are within our reach, but a sense of entitlement doesn’t bring us any closer, because it destroys our self- reliance, resilience, and the joy that comes from determination, sweat, and resourcefulness.

If the story, “I deserve it” is replacing action, ask yourself:

• When did entitlement replace my fulfillment?
• When did the satisfaction or happiness that comes as a result of fully developing my abilities and character get put aside?
• When did living my dream or achieving my daily goals get squeezed by circumstances?

To replace entitlement with fulfillment:

Know the life you want. The biggest block is not knowing what you want. If you don’t know where you’re going any road will take you there.

Work for it. Know that you can achieve whatever you’re committed to complete. I learned this great tool when I was in Jr. High School. I could learn anything if I took the time to study. Work is the balance between accomplishment and desire.

Be grateful every day. Be thankful for the abilities that get you through obstacles, roadblocks, and daily frustrations when life presents the unexpected.

The practice this week is to notice any sense of entitlement and laugh at the notion that you’re owed anything. What you’re entitled to you already have! If you choose fulfillment over entitlement, remember this: fulfillment is in the action you take right now.

My love goes with you as you work with this Uplifting Moment.