Responsibility: Managing Life by Kevin

Responsibility: Managing Life by Kevin - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

“If you blame others for your problems, then you give away the power to fix those problems.”

Inspiration can happen at any moment and usually spawns from the most unlikely catalysts. Responsibility has always been an affair that I could evoke a new lesson from time and time again. Being in control of my own life has always been a lesson that I have learned again and again through many lenses.The fact of the matter is that people will take control of their lives when it is convenient for them, but will immediately push it away when faced with an issue or a failure. Not many people want their problems fixed; this would involve taking a chance, becoming active, and potentially setting themselves up for a berating and further failure. So instead they cover up their fears with distractions, dramas, social media, etc. If their messes were cleaned up and they seized some control they could be left with the unknown, which is not something everyone wishes to face.

Responsibility and having power over ones life is something people fight for, while others will try to distance themselves from once they have it. This quote has been a source for inspiration and grounding for my own sense of responsibility. Often times I would catch myself looking at the people around me to point the finger of blame, but by doing that I stripped myself of the only power I had to correct my own mistakes. The only reason to look at the people around you is to make sure that they have enough for themselves. It’s astonishing how in many cases the approach to a problem is the issue. In the process of taking responsibility away from ourselves we declaw ourselves. For true control, answers, and power over their lives one must accept all their failures and success on the same terms and merits. This can be terrifying.

I have learned that if you cannot accept your own failures, shortcomings, and misdeeds then you can never truly solve your problems, have control over your life, or learn lessons and grow as an individual. Everyone wants to be someone noteworthy, do something influential, be revered, or be in control. Sadly no one wants to take the steps and put in their dues to actually achieve any of these esteemed milestones. It’s not always easy to let go of fear and make steps towards a better you. I have found that its easier to take responsibility when you can afford it, but a true measure of responsibility is when someone already knows they will be going down and steps up. That is true strength.Those are the moments that inspire and give me a drive day in and out.