We are all born with abilities. Some can sing, some can talk, some can build and
some can think. We have the ability to improve these abilities too and/or discover those that we did not even know we have. Amazing.
These abilities are magnified however, when combined with one more: the ability
to respond. Songs, words, buildings and business strategies are meaningless
unless they are sung, spoken and created in response to needs. A broken heart is
encouraged by a song. Ignorance is replaced through a knowledgeable word. A
family gets a home through hard labor and a successful business provides jobs and supports a community.
This is responsibility and we all have it.
We all have the ability to respond to the world around us. To be moved to take action because of a need, opportunity, challenge, idea or plan. To do anything less is tragic.
It is tragic when no one responds to needs. People stay lonely, go hungry and remain homeless and jobless. Just exactly who is supposed to change these things if not the very people with the abilities to change them? The world does not need geniuses. It does not need “them”. It needs you – a unique combination of interests, ideas, abilities and spheres of influence. No one else has the solutions you have because no else has your exact combination.
And not responding is tragic for you too. Teddy Roosevelt can tell you why:
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.”
Taking responsibility is HARD, it’s supposed to be. It’s supposed to take everything you’ve got because it will change everything you are. Will you be good at it? No, but you’ll get better. Will all your ideas be great and accepted? No, but you’ll think of better ones. Will everyone be thankful for your help? Probably not. So? Keep singing, speaking, building, thinking or whatever it is you were meant to do.
Join me this Thanksgiving in considering responsibility. Be thankful for all your abilities. And be thankful for the things to which you can respond. If you have responded and have seen the fruits – to others and yourself – give thanks. If you have not yet responded, commit to change.
Commit to live.
