Bill of Responsibilities

We are all in this together. Whatever this is.

With so much talk lately about the Bill of Rights, I decided to focus on a Bill of Responsibilities. I remember when my oldest daughter announced that she had studied her rights in her high school class regarding obtaining housing, a credit card, and other privileges. I was happy for her and then asked her what they had told her about her responsibilities once she obtained these things. It was a short conversation.

With everything we have, we must also give.

There is an inherent give and take in equal measures that must be observed; otherwise, we become very out of balance with our environment, our relationships, even our agreement. You must keep up your end of the bargain.

When we get food, we give thanks to all who made this meal possible. When we get a house, we become good neighbors to ensure mutual safety. When we are awarded financial credit, we must pay our bill.

My personal Bill of Responsibilities includes (but not limited to)

forgivenesskindness because we need each othernonjudgment because judgment is not mine to renderusing my privilege to stick up for those who cannot defend themselves against oppressiongratitude for all living things because I did not get here aloneusing my higher power to live a more gracious and courteous life

These are not merely part of a moral code. They are obligations.

What does your Bill include?

Once you identify where you are out of balance (such as blame, anger, greed, jealousy, or possessiveness), it becomes easier to see what you need to do to act more responsibly.

We are all in this together. You and me. Once we acknowledge that, the world gets a little safer.

Mary