From notes 1962/1963

 Blaming-an attempt to escape responsibility for self.

The only time a thing is a problem is when I make it important.

Conflict is the problem—not the fact that I am annoyed by something, but the fact that I should NOT be annoyed.

Question: What is the delineation between responsibility and duty? Also obligation?

Answer: responsibility is something you have FOR YOURSELF whether you like it or not. You took it on when you drew your first breath and you cannot get out of it.

Duty is something you can take on and you can put down. Our duties never bother us if we realize this. When you gave birth to children took on a duty to see after their welfare. You could put down the duty by having them adopted out, but you probably would not. Most of us do not want to put down our duties.

When you decide to take charge of how happy your children are, of making them,’happier’ you take false responsibility. This is interference. You may see to their welfare, but not their happiness. You cannot think for them.

Obligation is another word for duty.

By your own sense of well being you take up duties. But you have no responsibility for anyone else and when you think you do you are confused. You then become a nuisance. If I blame you for my unhappiness, I am denying my responsibility—and if I try to be responsible for your happiness I am taking up a duty that does not belong to me.