A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE: THE REINS OF
RESPONSIBILITY
By QAROL PRICE
W
hat a happy coincidence that responsibility should be November’s character trait of the month, just as I am assessing the responsibilities of a new role I have taken on, the Communications Chair of the Triangle East Writers. This role is new not only to me, but also to the organization that just created it at their latest Board of Trustees meeting. Having been so hyper-focused on the ins and outs of responsibility for this article, I have become rather intimidated by the vast scope of responsibility in our lives.
To explain further as to why I have been so preoccupied with the responsibilities of my new role is because there were no responsibilities for this new role — yet. In fact, my first duty was to draw up the definition and responsibilities, of all things, for the new seat on the board. One reason I wanted the job is that it is a job for a philosopher. I would be foolish not to take it. (This is where I put on my philosopher cape, I mean “cap.”) To me, asking a question like, “what is the purpose of the Communications Committee,” is like asking, “What is the purpose of life?”
But there’s not enough time to go down that road. In the process of examining the purpose of responsibility, so to speak, I was prompted to make a list of my own responsibilities. As I began listing them, I wondered, “whoa, what have I gotten myself into by taking this job? Am I being irresponsible by putting even more on my plate?” I already fall short of fulfilling the responsibilities I already have! The first thing I listed, not necessarily in the order of importance, was “household.” But I couldn’t go on to the next item without first looking at what “household” duties consist of. Every area of a household is a responsibility unto itself! Well, I reasoned, a good household would nurture mental, physical and spiritual health. And the way to that end would be to promote order, cleanliness, ample finances, regular maintenance, a cognizance of style and attitude, healthy meals, etc. Now, if we go back to look at what is entailed in the responsibilities of keeping “order” alone, we will see that the subject could fill volumes. Like the multiplying heads of the Hydra, more and more subcategories of responsibilities started rearing their mocking little heads. With ever more discoveries of one’s responsibilities, how can we possibly fulfill all of them?
Taking responsibility starts with acknowledging that you are the primary actor in your life. You own your actions, choices and their results, whether they pertain to your personal life, work, relationships or any other aspect. When you take responsibility, you hold yourself accountable for your actions and their consequences. This includes being honest about your mistakes and their impact on yourself and others. Taking responsibility often involves a commitment to continuous self-improvement. It means actively working on developing better habits, skills and behaviors to achieve personal and professional goals. And finally, apropos to the new position on the Triangle East Writers Board of Trustees, being responsible for our communications is about our relationship to truth. Writing this column on character has me checking in with my “service to truth” on a regular basis. I expect that being a Trustee for a community of writers will only expand my service. ⋆ Next Month: Compassion Qarol Price is a writer and educator. She has taught philosophy to children in Johnston County Public Schools and in Harlem in New York. She is a resident of Selma.
Hospice doesn’t mean giving up hope. 919.877.9959 heartlandhospice.com/Raleigh
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