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Heartwings Love Notes 746 - The Importance of Responsibility

Heartwings says, "Responsibility is something to learn and also to decide."

When children are growing up it is important to give them responsibilities. Even a small child can do simple tasks for the family. If the
child is forgetful or perhaps deliberately tests the parent by ignoring his or her duties, it is the responsibility of the parent to follow up
on the discipline with reminders as well as consistent persistence. That's part of the responsibility of parenting. When young children
learn to take responsibility at an early age, it helps them with self-discipline later on. When I was raising mine, I gave them tasks to
do. We kept a weekly list so that the tasks rotated.

As an adult I find there are times I have to make a decision as to what is and what is not my responsibility. When I see trash on the
sidewalk or paper towels on the floor of a restroom, I wonder if it is my responsibility to pick up after someone else. At home do I put
away my husband's clothes as well as mine or leave them for him to put away? Who is responsible for what in a household is often
divided along lines of familiarity with how it was growing up. Who mowed the lawn, took out the trash, checked to see if the door was
locked at night?

I remember my mother saying at a certain time in the evening, her father would wind the grandfather clock and that would be his
signal for her current boyfriend to depart. We didn't have a grandfather clock to wind, however my father was responsible for the
houseplants and flowers in our home. All summer he would carefully arrange fresh flowers in vases, some from his garden, some
from my grandmother's. My mother was responsible for the cooking, for the purchase of food and for what and when we ate. She also
carved the roast or chicken we had on Sundays because she thought she did a better job of it.

The word responsibility implies a response to something. If I am aware of an important duty, like paying my taxes, being sure to vote,
stopping at stop signs, or even washing my hands after I sneeze, cough or go to the bathroom, then I respond by acting. I take
responsibility for that which is my personal obligation to society or to myself. However there is this gray area where I need to make
decisions: do I try to help if my help may not be wanted? Do I act when my action may not be what is needed? Taking responsibility
for what I do or do not do requires me to think and think again.

May you find a good balance for your responsibilities and never take on more than you are comfortable with..
 

I love to hear from readers and would be honored if you would comment and let me know any suggestions or thoughts. If a friend sent you this, you can sign up at my web site, www.heartwingslovenotes.com, where more love notes can be found in the archives.

Blessings and Best Regards,
Tasha Halpert
 

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