Responsibility.

We use this word often.

And I feel it is continually misunderstood.

Maybe it’s not a misunderstanding but lack of education regarding the concept.

Before I move one, why don’t we define the word:

“The state or fact of being responsible, answerable, or accountable for something within one’s power, control, or management.”

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/responsibility

The interesting thing about the term responsibility, is what happens when you sound out and analyse it more deeply.

I can see two words within the structure:

Firstly, response.

And secondly, ability.

Let’s define each of them:

Response is your reaction to an external influence or form of stimulation.

Ability is the confidence you have in your approach and method to completing something like an activity or task.

So when you put them both together you get the following:

Responsibility is your ability (skill or confidence in your skill) to respond to a form of stimuli (the event stimulating a reaction).

It is such a beautiful idea and can be utilised for everything we do in our lives.

At the intersection of everything that happens – and will happen – we have the ability to choose how we respond.

The hardest part is becoming aware we do have a choice in deciding how and where to steer the ship that is under our control.