InspirEmail

InsprEmail No 409 - April 2025 - The power of responsibility
'Inspirational messages to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account'
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The power of responsibility

It's been said that the line between childhood and adulthood is crossed when we move from saying 'It got lost' to 'I lost it.'

Indeed, being accountable - and understanding and accepting the role our choices play in the things that happen - are crucial signs of emotional and moral maturity.

That's why responsibility is one of the main pillars of good character. Many people have been seduced by the Peter Pan philosophy of refusing to grow up and avoiding the burdens implied in being accountable.

Yes, responsibility sometimes requires us to do things that are unpleasant or even frightening. It asks us to carry our own weight, prepare and set goals, and exercise the discipline to reach our aspirations. But the benefits of accepting responsibility far outweigh the short-lived advantages of refusing to do so.

No one makes his or her life better by avoiding responsibility. In fact, irresponsibility is a form of self-imposed servitude - to circumstances and to other people. Responsibility is about our ability to respond to circumstances and to choose the attitudes, actions, and reactions that shape our lives. It is a concept of power that puts us in the driver's seat.

The grand panorama of the potential of our lives can only be appreciated when we begin to be accountable and self-reliant. Responsible people not only depend on themselves, but show others that they can be depended on. This breeds trust, and trust is a key that opens many doors.

If you want more control over your life and the pleasures, prerogatives, and power of freedom and independence, all you have to do is be responsible.

Written by Michael Josephson
Founder and president of Josephson Institute and its Character Counts project.
 Learn more his work at . . . Michael Josephson >>> 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Featured Positive Inspirational Story

Growing Good Corn

James Bender, in his book How to Talk Well (published in 1994 by McGraw-Hill Book Company Inc.) relates the story of a farmer who grew award-winning corn. Each year he entered his corn in the state fair where it won a blue ribbon . . . read more >>>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- Inspirational Quote -

The greatest day in your life and mine is when we take total responsibility for our attitudes. That's the day we truly grow up - John C .Maxwell

View more Positive Inspirational Achievement Quotes >>>

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Positive inspirational messages, stories, quotes and images
to refresh the spirit and boost the emotional bank account

InspirEmail is published on this website on the second Tuesday of each month.

Below are links to each issue of InspirEmail from November 2004. I trust you enjoy reading and reviewing these positive inspirational messages, stories, quotes and images and I welcome your feedback and comments at . . . info@agiftofinspiration.com.au

Issues of InspirEmail prior to November 2024 were published before this website was launched. Many of the positive and inspirational stories in the earlier issues of InspirEmail can be found under the eight section headings in the Inspirational Stories Directory.

Be Inspired and Best Wishes

Keith Ready
Director of Inspiration
A Gift Of Inspiration

Archived InspirEmail

Top of page

InspirEmail

A monthly positive inspirational story and quote to refresh your spirit and boost the emotional bank account. InspirEmail was first published in November 2005 and each issue can be viewed in the Archived InspirEmail Directory located below the latest issue of InspirEmail


View the latest issue of InspirEmail


Positive Inspirational Images
Positive Inspirational Stories
Positive Inspirational Quotes