Taking Responsibility

When I was younger, one of the earliest 'lesson' that was drilled into my head was to take responsibility. Its one wrong to break Mum's expensive Correl plate, its just another wrong to not admit to it. Owning up meant getting scolded at and punished, but that would have happened anyways. At least I would have gotten credit for being brave enough to come up.

As I grow up, I realised that owning up meant so much more. Humans will always make mistakes, we will never be perfect. Admission of your wrong, an apology and the acceptance of the necessary penance are all part and parcel of the learning processs. Otherwise, how else will we learn from our wrongs?

Having been taught this since before I could write, it still amazes me that this simple act of 'owning up' escapes some people. As we grow up, we are given more trust and responsibilities. Consequently, the magnitude of our mistakes grow. Where it was once just pulling a friend's hair or a broken plate, now it may be a wrecked car or worse still a lost life. But I steadfastly hold to the same principle.

If you have wronged someone, come up, take responsibility, accept your penance then maybe everyone can move on and start figuring out how to prevent similar episodes in the future. But pray, do not pretend nothing happened. Do not blow hot air and bluster about making loud sounds. Similarly, those in charge need not act like immature parents wading in to the fight of their children with rolled sleeves and ready punches. We are not in a playground anymore. We are all mature adults with grace, mental astuteness and most importantly, values. Some things, like a life, can never be brought back. Have respect for that.

No act done is ever without its repercussions.