The topic is Responsibility. A dictionary defines Responsibility as, “the opportunity or ability to act independently and make decisions without authorization.” Responsibility is the opposite of Victimhood (see the essay on Victimhood vs. Choice). It is about making a choice. Responsibility is about being a leader, taking a stand, taking a risk, being independent, and caring.
Responsibility embodies moral and ethical choices as in doing the “right thing.” The “right thing” may be done in a manner visible or invisible to others. Sometimes only we know we have done the “right thing.” There may be no credit given for the Responsibility we take for actions, events, and outcomes. Taking Responsibility may result in being treated poorly or shunned by people with a narrow concept of what is right, proper and reasonable. Taking silent Responsibility may be the highest expression of the Human Condition.
There may be altruistic aspects of taking Responsibility. We may choose to take Responsibility for an act to help remove someone else from an unpleasant position.
Taking Responsibility may be an act of defiance as John Hancock’s oversized signature on the Declaration of Independencein 1776 was!
Death camp survivor, Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, acknowledged the Statue of Liberty in New York but said there should also be a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast. Was he saying there is or should be a relationship between Liberty and Responsibility – a balance? I think YES for ultimately Liberty without Responsibility will lead to the tyranny of Entitlement and loss of the very Liberty our citizens so cherish.
Responsible behavior ensures your Liberty.