I think “responsibility” is an underappreciated
value. Being responsible brings to mind qualities like being steady and
reliable. These concepts almost sound boring to most of us.
“That Joe is a steady fellow!”
It makes you want to yawn, right? It doesn’t seem
very flashy or cool!
But responsible people are often the ones who get
important things done. (Do you want a responsible person to oversee the
building of the bridge you are driving on or an irresponsible person?)
Responsible people typically do not look to blame
others if things don’t go as planned. (This is a big deal in our “everyone-else-is-to-blame-except-me”
culture.)
When people find themselves facing serious problems
it is usually a responsible person they turn to for help.
As I think about my life and the people who have had
the most significant influence, I realize it has been the people who were
responsible. Unfortunately, I think I often took their responsibility for
granted. I thought their responsibility was a given, as if it was automatic and
could never be any other way. I, often, did not appreciate what an important
and valuable character trait it is.
I am realizing these responsible people are pretty special,
after all.
