Responsibility is fled from in this day and age. Many people play the victim game and blame others so that they will gain more compassion, influence, and even monetary benefits. Responsibility is shoved to the other, it’s the government’s fault, my dad’s fault, the previous generation screwed us, it is the patriarchy, old white men, the system. Very few take responsibility for their own actions. In fact, our culture of victimhood and mob mentality states that when someone takes responsibility for the wrongs you are to cancel them. It is an admission of unforgivable guilt. I propose a better way.
Taking Responsibility is the way to make a better world. This can come in many aspects, from large to small. Below is a list of different ways to take responsibility. I will get into more specifics later on but these are a good high level view that will help shape the rest of this discussion.
Take Responsibility for your Own Actions
Clean your room
Treat others with dignity and respect
Work hard and with integrity
Make right the conflicts in your life so that the world will listen
Be informed so that you may act ethically and quickly to assist others
Take Responsibility for Others
Help the poor
Assist the widows
Feed the Orphans
Stand against tyranny and oppression (at the expense of yourself)
Apologize for the sins of the past that you have benefited from
Root out corruption in your government
Take Responsibility for the Random
Send aid to refugees
Supply goods/funding to disaster relief
Donate/volunteer to non-profits
Be the source of hope in the chaotic darkness in the world
Jordan Peterson, a Canadian psychologist, modern philosopher, and podcaster, has spoken about the Gulag Archipelago and its significance for modern humans. He argues that the book serves as a warning of the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of individual responsibility in the face of political oppression.
Peterson argues that the Soviet Union's system of forced labor camps in the Gulag Archipelago were a product of the collectivist ideology, which emphasizes the needs and goals of the group over the needs and rights of the individual. He believes that this collectivist ideology is still present in the world today and that it is important for individuals to resist it by taking responsibility for their own lives and standing up for their own rights and values. Not only that though, but he also argues that Solzhenitsyn took responsibility for his own actions in the creation of the soviet union. He claims that Solzhenitsyn looked back at his entire past and thought “what could I have done differently so that I wouldn’t end up in this Gulag?” That line of reasoning is not the natural path, most would blame the Gestapo, the Soviet Union, or the people that turned them in but Solzhenitsyn decided to take the blame for everything. In doing so he reconciled with himself that he ought to have stood up for the wrongly accused, tried to stop the tyrants above him, and use what he had to make a difference in the unfolding of history at the nearly guaranteed detriment of his own life. Maybe, he thought, this would stop all these atrocities.
Furthermore, Peterson believes that the Gulag Archipelago serves as a reminder of the importance of personal responsibility and individual freedom, as those who failed to take responsibility for their own lives in the Soviet Union were more likely to be swept up in the system of oppression.
The Gulag Archipelago became one of the many reasons the Soviet Union fell. In essence, because one man, Solzhenitsyn, took responsibility for everything that he did, that happened to him, and even that happened to others, a book was created that led to the fall of the system of oppression that killed millions. One person became a large part of taking down a powerful nation by taking responsibility.
Taking responsibility requires a few key intentional actions and mindsets:
Accountability: Being responsible means being accountable for one's actions and decisions. This includes taking ownership of mistakes and making amends when necessary.
Dependability: A responsible person can be relied upon to follow through on commitments and fulfill their obligations.
Trustworthiness: Responsible individuals are trustworthy, meaning they can be counted on to keep their word and maintain confidentiality when necessary.
Ethical behavior: Responsible individuals act in an ethical manner, adhering to moral principles and treating others with respect.
Proactivity: Responsible individuals take initiative and are proactive in addressing problems or potential problems before they become more significant issues.
The above is a list of a few mindsets that you can adopt in your life to help your relationships, work-life, goal setting, and help you both grow as an individual as well as be an asset to society.
Let’s get to the practical of becoming responsible. Here are some tried and true methods I have used in my life and I have seen in the lives of others I respect that both make the individual more responsible but also help to elevate the community around them.
Setting and achieving goals: Men can be responsible by setting clear, achievable goals for themselves and working towards them. This can include goals related to education, career, or personal development. These are the driving factors in your life that give you the motivation to be self disciplined and work diligently toward them. Achieving these goals is not only temporarily fulfilling but will inspire you to dream larger. The journey towards the goal is as important as the goal though.
Being financially responsible: This can include managing money wisely, creating and sticking to a budget, and saving for the future. Live like no one else so you can live like no one else. Remeber the goal is not money, the goal is to be wise, to improve your life and lives around you. Financial responsibility can help you achieve the things you thought were impossible before. Money comes and goes, being responsible and having a budget will allow you to not worry about when it goes, and to trust in God to provide when it’s short.
Building and maintaining relationships: Men can be responsible by building and maintaining positive relationships with friends, family, business relationships, and romantic partners, and by being a good listener and communicator. These relationships are your world, making them great ones will help you find peace, be apart of something larger than yourself, and make the world a better place.
Being dependable and reliable: Men can be responsible by showing up on time, following through on commitments, and being there for others when they need support. Your word is your social credit score, your integrity is all you have. Being a man of character will open doors that provide great opportunities and close doors that you shouldn’t go through.
Being involved in the community: Men can be responsible by volunteering, participating in community service, and being an active and engaged citizen. Use your means, body, mind, ability to help your community these are things that can be a free donation that will bring you happiness as well as help your community rise out of pain and poverty.
Being aware of their own physical and mental well-being: Men can be responsible by maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, and managing stress. This includes emotional health and recognizing and coming to grips with the pains you feel, the triumphs you love, the ups and downs of life can be great and hellish but if you do not deal with them properly not only is that irresponsible but it can come out in profoundly ugly ways.
Being respectful of others and the world around them: Men can be responsible by treating others with kindness, empathy, and respect, and by being mindful of how their actions impact the environment and the people around them. The goal is meekness or strength restrained. Be a man who respects those around you, be strong enough and trained enough to stop those who would harm the helpless. Be a provider, protector, and in general be respectful to those around you. Even a smile can make someones day better. Do this even when they do not respect you, you never know when someone had the worst day of their life and you can be the light in that dark day by treating them with respect and honor and dignity.
Maybe I am not the authority in your life ( I shouldn’t be by the way I am writing this as much for me as I am for you) but maybe God is someone you trust. Here are some examples from the Bible on why it is important to be responsible with brief explanations about what they mean. I encourage you to read them and study them on your own as well though.
Here are a few examples:
Proverbs 22:6 - "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This verse emphasizes the importance of teaching children to be responsible from a young age.
Ephesians 4:28 - "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need." This verse encourages people to take responsibility for their actions and to work hard to support themselves and others.
Matthew 25:14-30 - The Parable of the Talents speaks about the responsibility of being a good steward of the resources, abilities and opportunities that God has given us.
James 4:17 - "Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin." This verse emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and choices, and doing what is right.
Romans 14:12 - "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God." This verse reminds us that ultimately, we are all responsible to God for how we live our lives.
Galatians 6:5 - "For each one shall bear his own load." This verse reminds us that we are responsible for our own actions and decisions, and that we will be held accountable for them.
1 Corinthians 4:2 - "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." This verse emphasizes the importance of being a responsible steward, or manager, of the resources and opportunities that have been entrusted to us.
1 Timothy 5:8 - "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." This verse teaches the importance of being responsible for the well-being of our family and loved ones.
Colossians 3:23 - "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." This verse encourages us to take responsibility for our work, and to do it to the best of our ability, as if we were working for God himself.
Ecclesiastes 11:9 - "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; walk in the ways of your heart, and in the sight of your eyes; but know that for all these God will bring you into judgment." This verse reminds us that we are responsible for our choices and actions, and that we will be held accountable for them in the end.
Deuteronomy 24:14- "You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the sojourners who are in your land within your towns." This verse teaches us the importance of being responsible employers and treating the people who work for us with fairness and justice.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 - "And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all." This verse encourages us to take responsibility for the well-being of others and to support and care for those who are struggling.
Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." This verse teaches us that we are responsible for our own spiritual growth and the effort we put into it, and that God works in us to help us fulfill our responsibilities.
Proverbs 27:23- "Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds." This verse emphasizes the importance of being responsible for the things that we have been entrusted with, whether it's property, money, or other assets.
1 Peter 4:10 - "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace." This verse emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for the gifts and talents that God has given us and using them to serve others.
There are many more but I thought 15 would be plenty to start with. God has given us many directions in life. To love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, to treat others as yourself, to go forth and multiply and subdue the earth. Being responsible is the way that we can be more Godly men, better people, and help elevate the world around us to greater heights. It is a way we can find hope, purpose, joy, and peace and it will be our guidance in the unknown. It will not save you as only Jesus can do that but it will be a light in your heart and mind and lamp for your feet as it will give you an improved mindset and perspective to see the world around you with.
Let me know what you think about this, how it has helped you, and lessons you have learned in your life about how responsibility has improved your life and not weighed it down.