Responsibility

That title makes me want to crawl under a rock. Who really wants responsibility? It is really annoying. The thought of blaming someone else or our government is so tempting. The truth is it's all my fault. Sometimes we just do things without thinking of the consequences. Sometimes we act on impulse and sometimes it's just a lack of planning. Regardless, when you decide to take responsibility for every aspect of your life it is somehow painful and liberating all at the same time.

Imagine that. It's not the governments fault or your parents or some random stranger. It is your fault, or better still your responsibility. You may want to argue the point with me and feel free, I'll listen, but it is futile. Just accept the fact that it is your responsibility. The upside to that is that you have the power. You can choose to change directions.

On a larger scale what I find frustrating is that we make things more difficult for those of us that do take responsibility. We create rules and laws with the mistaken idea that these laws make it more difficult for the less responsible. The reality is it just causes the responsible more time and energy. Here is a news flash, the irresponsible don't care about our rules, they are after all, irresponsible. So, we can create laws and rules and do all kinds of things but the bottom line is if we don't hold ourselves and others accountable the entire exercise is moot.

Geez, where is all this coming from? Well I'll tell you. Last night I called the Toronto Parking Authority and had a vehicle towed off the property of the complex where I live. This unknown person had decided that he could park his vehicle anytime for hours on end in our courtyard. The vehicle blocked the entrance to our laundry room and an emergency access route. The person had been ticketed once before and given a warning letter. Still they park. What really got my goat was that many of my neighbours complained bitterly about this. Why did this person think they could park there? The rest of us have to pay to park on the property! What makes this guy think he can just pull up here, park his car and walk away?

The short answer is we do. We have not enforced our own rules. There is no accountability. So, I decided to take action instead of just being part of the whine and complain patrol. Why are we so afraid to take action? In the end I did. I had enough. The rules - no parking you will be towed away - are posted very large and very clear. On top of that, they were given a warning letter and ticketed once. So, last night I watched as the vehicle was lifted up and towed away. I did not feel good about it and if I encountered the person I would probably feel even worse, I am Canadian after all. But, when I think about it with a clear mind I know that this is what responsibility is. The courage to not only accept the consequences of our own actions but to stand and take action when required.