The Hidden Element of Freedom

Winston Churchill said, "The price of greatness is responsibility." We all want to be great at something, even if it’s just talking to friends. But to be great all around requires us to be responsible all around. Being responsible means that we are the ones that are answerable or accountable for what’s going on. We are the ones with power to control or manage. We have the capacity to make a moral decisions or rational thoughts for a certain action.  To be responsible is a big thing that cannot be pushed to the side if we desire to be successful and free. Friedrich Nietzsche said it this way, “Freedom is the will to be responsible to ourselves first.” True responsibility brings freedom.

3 Responsible Areas

1. Errors – It's inevitable, we all make some types of errors or mistakes daily. However, the irresponsible thing to do is to allow ourselves to live in the error – continuing to practice or support the mistake we’ve made. Responsibility responds to errors and mistakes with quick confessions and sincere efforts to make things right as soon as possible, no matter the cost. This is a challenge for me and I'm sure it is for all of us but is necessary if we want to live effective lives.

Be more responsible by looking at where you might have messed up, accept your consequences, and work to make things right. Freedom comes by owning up to your mistakes not by covering them up.

2.     Excuses – When we make comments like "I’m not responsible for this because..."or "I would've, but...” to things we are directly connected to, we are making excuses. So as we develop ourselves to be more responsible, we must practice catching ourselves and stopping ourselves in the middle of an excuse; until we develop the habit of being more responsible with what we say and do. 

Change your actions by admitting the real reasons why you did or didn’t do it. That's freedom. If you’re too lazy, too tired, or just felt like doing something else, that is the truth. Admit the real issue instead of lying about it but, keep in mind that just because you admitted to it does not mean the consequences will be or should be softer. Josiah Stamp said it this way, “It may be easy to dodge your responsibilities, but you cannot dodge the consequences of dodging your responsibilities.” Be willing to accept the consequences of what you have done. Don't give and excuse. Lovingly give the reason and move forward to being more responsible. 

3.     Earn – Every stage of responsibility should be earned. It’s like climbing a ladder; we can’t get to the top unless we first stand on the first step. We should not be entitled to a higher level of responsibility if we cannot master the first step. My son was asking me one day to move the car so he could play basketball, I said, "I don’t know son, you haven’t been doing too well at parking and moving the lawn mower." I wasn't telling him that he could never move the car, I was saying that you need to prove yourself more in something with less responsibility, which was where he was, moving the lawnmower successfully.

If you desire more work, more trust, or more opportunities you must prove yourself on step one. If you're not moving, check yourself for signs of irresponsibility. Do you take for granted what you have on step one. Watch how you say things like: this is boring, stupid, or a waste of my time. Work to take every opportunity as one that could bring freedom to your next level.

Summary – Accepting responsibility is a must for success in your life. The facts state that – a more challenging, fun, and new thing will not keep you engaged to be more responsible. The thing that will keep you engaged in a new responsibility is a commitment and acceptance of basic life principles (honesty, positive attitude, respect, diligence, self-control, responsibility, and wisdom) into the areas where you are. Accepting current responsibilities brings freedom to do more.

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