R-E-S-P-O-N-S-ibility.
My gramps has continued to be constantly on my mind over the past month. The words from family and friends at his memorial service have hung in my head and have been chewed on over and over and over…
And suddenly, his life made me wonder, when did we stop taking responsibility for ourselves?
As a little boy, my grandfather found his mother shortly after she committed suicide. A few days later, he found a note from her in his sock drawer…a note he interpreted to mean she killed herself because of him. His dad didn’t know what to do with him, so he sent my gramps off to live with his cousins. His cousins treated him horribly, and on and on the story goes of no one ever wanting this incredible boy. Not until he fell in love with my wonderful grandmother was he really wanted. And yet, he never played the victim. Never acted out of his circumstances. Always worked hard to take responsibility for himself and his actions. He remained a good man, chasing service above self and education.
Now, it seems, we’re more apt to pinpoint our shortcomings on our less-than-ideal home life. As though we’re excused from really treating people with respect, or entitled to be a little rude, or selfish, or unforgiving, because of situations in our past that made us this way. A poor home life is the ultimate bandaid.
Well. I think it’s time to grow up. To get over “what’s been done to you” and start doing right towards everyone else. And my best friend, Madea, had some great thoughts on the subject.
I am aware some people have been raised in horrible, life-altering situations. And I’m not saying everyone has the opportunity or wherewithal to pull themselves up by their bootstraps. I know some folks who have had things done to them that literally makes me think they’ve been to hell and back. But they’re also more likely to step up to the plate and take responsibility for themselves. Not all, but more than you would think.
So c’mon, Gen-Y! Let’s do this thing! As far as it is possible for us, let’s keep the peace. Take responsibility. And live like we mean it.
Color me convicted.