Definitions

The definition of "responsibility" I will be working with is: "To be answerable."

It seems that, to many people, when this word is used, there is an emphasis on the implication of guilt; that is, a negative connotation, of some kind of lack or failing. A current example is, "who is responsible for the destruction of the BP deep oil extraction rig in the Gulf, and the resultant ecological disaster?"

Breaking down the word "responsibility" we find, "able to respond."

To have responsibilities; to take responsibility; to be responsible; to want responsibility; to not want responsibility; to act responsibly; to deny responsibility; to undermine responsibility. All of these variations on "responsibility," and many more, suggest a claiming or rejecting of power in some form in relationship to others in our lives.

Rarely is the word "responsibility" used in discussing our relationship to ourselves alone. The very idea suggests "selfishness." We, as individuals, have been convinced/programmed/required to abdicate this responsibility to others, whether it be to "authorities," such as: the government, the educational system, the medical establishment, or "social," such as the religious establishments, our parents/relatives/family, our ethnic background, our "culture," what others, (friends/neighbors) think, etc., etc.

To go against what is expected of us, by taking responsibility for ourselves, is not easy to do. This also applies to being different from how we are expected to be.

Why is it not easy? Everyone knows why it is not easy! The consequences of "questioning authority," or "being different," will get you branded as "strange," "weird," a "black sheep," a "troublemaker," a "rebel," etc., etc., and frequently ostracized from your group/family/friends, etc., etc.

From our earliest years we learn that our primary role in life is to "do what you are told," by authority figures, because what you have been told is: the truth; is "reality"; is right action; is possible; is fact; is attainable; will keep you out of trouble; will allow you to fit in; will allow you to get ahead in....; will get you loved.

My intention is to convince you to take responsibility for yourself, your health, your experiences, your attitudes, your beliefs, your life. You are, of course, responsible for those things and people you have chosen to be responsible for, depending on your not infringing on their right to be responsible for themselves, according to their age and true need and ability to be responsible for themselves.

I intend to suggest tools for achieving personal responsibility in the course of these ruminations, and, if asked, to respond to questions regarding the content of this blog, for which I take full, personal responsibility.

With that, I leave you for now.

Shirley Gallup