On Responsibility

If we are responsible, we are dependable, reliable, and can be counted on.  We have reached a certain maturity where not only are we responsible for ourselves,we are responsible to others.  We are also considered as having wisdom, good judgment, and being trustworthy.  It is empowering to take responsibility for our decisions and actions, and furthermore, to be given responsibility by someone else.  This means other people believe in us.  They ask us to do things because we are consistent in our performance and behavior besides being dependable and reliable. "Nothing brings out the best in a person than having someone believe in him and trust him with responsibility."  It is important that we be responsible to others, and yet being overly responsible may be overwhelming and draining.  We must take care of ourselves so that we can help other people.  There is an extent to how much we can, or should, take on.  We don't have to take care of everybody and everything;  we need to know our limits.  What we can do is set our priorities, do our best, and then detach with love and not feel guilty.  Following are the healthy ways of being responsible:  we are loyal to our values, keep an open mind, rid ourselves of anger and resentment, express our ideas and feelings, be realistic in our expectations, make healthy choices, and be grateful for our blessings. We are tolerant of others and listen with our ears and our hearts.  There are many different kinds of responsibilities:  human, social, legal, moral, and professional to name a few. Also, many believe they are responsible, or answerable, to a higher power.  It is a paradox that we grow and become free by becoming responsible.  James Allen, who wrote As a Man Thinkith, about how important our thoughts are, reflected that a man sooner or later discovers that he is the master gardener of his soul, the director of his life.