This week’s topic to inspire you in Writer’s Quotes Wednesday Challenge is responsibility or it’s opposite – blame. #WQWWC is a challenge about using quotes around a theme. You find your quote and write about it. Include the link for this post in your post, or copy the link to your post and paste it into my comment box.

These are the last words a child wants to hear when the evidence of wrongdoing shows up in his or her quarter. They know there will be an assessment and consequence of blame like being grounded from their favorite activity. Or possibly parents will assign them a responsibility or duty such as cleaning their room or taking out the trash. Either way, a child often looks for a way to shirk responsibility and parents try creative ways to insure that their children become responsible for their actions.

But what about adults? Responsibilities come with any job, role of legal obligation. Radio and television commentator, Charles Osgood had this to say about responsibility.

“The Responsibility Poem”
 by Charles Osgood
 There was a most important job that needed to be done,
 And no reason not to do it, there was absolutely none.
 But in vital matters such as this, the thing you have to ask
 Is who exactly will it be who’ll carry out the task?
 Anybody could have told you that Everybody knew
 That this was something Somebody would surely have to do.
 Nobody was unwilling; Anybody had the ability.
 But Nobody believed that it was their responsibility.
 It seemed to be a job that Anybody could have done,
 If Anybody thought he was supposed to be the one.
 But since Everybody recognized that Anybody could,
 Everybody took for granted that Somebody would.
 But Nobody told Anybody that we are aware of,
 That he would be in charge of seeing it was taken care of.
 And Nobody took it on himself to follow through,
 And do what Everybody thought that Somebody would do.
 When what Everybody needed so did not get done at all,
 Everybody was complaining that Somebody dropped the ball.
 Anybody then could see it was an awful crying shame,
 And Everybody looked around for Somebody to blame.
 Somebody should have done the job
 And Everybody should have,
 But in the end Nobody did
 What Anybody could have.

Anybody Could Have Taken Responsibility

Strong leaders take responsibility even when they are not at fault. Less worthy leaders fight extensive legal battles to prove their innocence and lay the blame elsewhere sometimes when they don’t want to lose face.

Wouldn’t it be easier if people just accepted the blame and took responsibility for their words and actions? None of us can foresee the future and know how we might inspire or insight others to action, as what happened on January 6th.

Technically guilty or not, President Trump was acquitted in the Senate for the impeachable offense of inciting the riots at the Capitol. What might have happened if he had accepted the blame of his supporters and broken up the mob? Or could he? Each individual participating also had a responsibility to refuse to be violent or even to be in a place that might get violent.

Many more words about will abound about responsibility regarding the January 6th attack on the Capital Building because the consequences are so huge. Responsibility is something that everyone, even terrorists, take seriously.

What Are Your Thoughts About Responsibility?

Do you know this singer? I particularly like the lyrics.

Guidance in Understanding Responsibility

Ultimately where do people look guidance in responsibility? Christians turn to the Bible, sermons and studies to learn what their true responsibilities are and how to fulfill what they should do to live a responsible life. One site offered 100 verses to provide insight. Where do you go to get instruction on responsibility?

Poem About Responsibility

Responsibility
Author Unknow
Responsibility means,
 “I can do things on my own.”
 When I turn it on, I turn it off.
 When I unlock something, I lock it up.
 When I drop something, I pick it up.
 When I open something, I close it.
 When I make a mess, I clean it up.
 When I find something, I return it.
 When I borrow something, I give it back.
 When I take something out, I put it back.
 When I am assigned a task, I complete it.
 When I earn money, I spend it wisely.
 When I give my word, I keep it.
 I choose to be responsible.

How to Participate in #WQWWC

How Do You Teach Responsibility?

How do you teach your children and grandchildren this important character trait? What are your favorite resources? Do you have a favorite authority you quote? Your thoughts are most important in this challenge.

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