Responsibility

On my way to work today, I read on the lottery advertisement hording "play responsibly."  I thought, Responsibility is really a constant balancing act.

Many times we see many people running away from their responsibilities; both at personal and community level. Not being responsible at someone's job, giving away responsibilities towards one's parents, kids, wife etc. are few examples of not being responsible at personal level. Driving recklessly, littering, smoking at public places etc. are the examples of not being responsible at community level. 

At times we also see people being irresponsibly towards their own selves like having bad lifestyles, poor health habits, bad diet, unplanned finances etc. 

Though, "average people" normally try to be responsible in most of the above mentioned areas. Average person will try to modify his/her life style constantly to have healthy habits, try to at least complete duties both at job and at family level. Normally, will try to be a good citizen and try to obey laws etc. 

Even though, this is true, are we also taking responsibilities of the things happening to us in day to day life? Instead of taking responsibility of our own actions, we tend to get attached to the results so quickly that we start feeling responsible for the results. If the results are as per our expectations, we tend to celebrate and take credit of it real quick. We often forget to check our actions and mistakes during the process. If the results are not as per our expectations, we also blame ourselves equally quickly. The focus is so much on results that we again forget to think about our mistakes and we waste our energy in mourning. 

On the other hand, sometimes we do not want to take responsibility of the unwanted results at all and the we start the blaming business. We start blaming others, fate, timing, system and what not. 

Truly speaking, I feel that we can not take responsibility of results at all. In any act, big or small, there are so many factors acting together and against each other that the results are never in one's hands. The results are never under our control. This makes the results so variable that if we get too attached to the results it can easily disturb the peace of our mind. We often see difficulties like increased stress, anxiety, depression as a result of vanishing peace of mind. 

If there is anything we can control to some extent is our actions. Instead of taking responsibility of results, giving credit after success and blaming after failure, we should start taking responsibilities of our actions. Results are only the indicators to show what needs to be changed in our actions. I have heard from elderly and experience people that any broken situation can be fixed. Though, if some one is expecting different results without doing anything different, then it is an unrealistic expectation. 

One can say that if results are not in our hands then what is the use of taking responsibility of our actions or in fact what is the use of trying at all? There are two reasons why one should keep trying. One is if you don't take responsibility of your action and never try, it is definite that you will not succeed. But if you take the responsibility to try it, there is at least some probability of some change. The other reason is, if you have faith at all, experienced people say that God/Universe helps only to those who try. 

Any way, success or no success, I can definitely say that if we shift our responsibility from results to actions, we will at least have the peace of mind. The introspection of our own acts will keep our drive and passion for life alive. The ups and downs in our results will not get a chance to play and exploit the energy of our mind. The unproductive time of mourning or celebrating will be utilized in self improvement. This will definitely bring joy that is relatively stable.