Sunday, June 12, 2011

Responsibility

Responsibilities are looked in one from childhood until our end and sometimes even after that. Starting from education, work, family, society we are expected to take up responsibilities in our different walks of life. It is one that is to be with us for all our life. Is responsibility in-born or can be seeded into one?

"The state of being obliged to do something ", this is Oxford definition. Was Gandhi obliged to fight for Indian independence, Mandela for South Africa's independence, Mother Teresa to serve for people, Hitler to dream to rule the world, Lee Kuan Yew to build Singapore from a third world country to first world, Al-Qaeda's Bin-Laden to launch attack on WTC? All of them lived for a cause they believed in. Was the responsibility in-born in these individuals? On closer look it would be that, they felt obligated to do. But why would they want to?

The answer could be, it is what one believes in strongly. So it looks like responsibility is not in-born but tags along with one in course of life shaped by society & situation which do play an important role. If Gandhi had not been thrown out from train compartment in Pietermartizburg, South Africa, he might not have fought for Indian freedom. Germany's surrender in World War1, caused Hitler to strongly believe he had to prove that Germany was the best nation in the world. So situations do act as source of responsibility to grow within one, be it for good or bad. Even though they are not around, their lives are a lesson for others to embrace for good. They are seen as idols and roles models by many for how to be and how not to be.

Responsibilities taken on own gets one more motivated than those given to them which are called empowerment. I feel an individual to grow and excel in life, one has to take responsibilities on their own in right way for betterment of self and society.

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