conditioning
December 2008 
Big Idea: Responsible vs. Response-able.
Posted on Oct 5th, 2007
by 
Brian
Brian
Responsible vs. Response-able.
I have to say I’m a little pissy about how the essence of the word “responsible” has been hijacked by some silly sense of societally-conditioned obligation.
Ahem.
To be RESPONSE-ABLE, that is, truly “responsible,” means to be capable of responding to a situation. NOT doing what others expect (or what you think would be a “responsible” thing to do).
The real question, in my mind, is not, “What’s the responsible thing to do here?” We’re way too good at answering that question.
The real question we need to get good at asking ourselves is something more like, “What do I truly want from this situation? What is the best response I can possibly make to this situation/challenge?”
THAT will lead us to our deepest instinct and to the core of how we will be truly “responsible” in giving our gifts to the world.
Yah?
* steps down from pulpit *
...
© Brian Johnson, 2007
Check Out More Big Ideas @ http://brian.zaadz.com/blog
Get Your AreteÌ on @ www.thinkarete.com
I’d be honored if you shared this Big Idea. Please simply include this footer. Thanks! :)
I have to say I’m a little pissy about how the essence of the word “responsible” has been hijacked by some silly sense of societally-conditioned obligation.
Ahem.
To be RESPONSE-ABLE, that is, truly “responsible,” means to be capable of responding to a situation. NOT doing what others expect (or what you think would be a “responsible” thing to do).
The real question, in my mind, is not, “What’s the responsible thing to do here?” We’re way too good at answering that question.
The real question we need to get good at asking ourselves is something more like, “What do I truly want from this situation? What is the best response I can possibly make to this situation/challenge?”
THAT will lead us to our deepest instinct and to the core of how we will be truly “responsible” in giving our gifts to the world.
Yah?
* steps down from pulpit *
...
© Brian Johnson, 2007
Check Out More Big Ideas @ http://brian.zaadz.com/blog
Get Your AreteÌ on @ www.thinkarete.com
I’d be honored if you shared this Big Idea. Please simply include this footer. Thanks! :)
Access: Public
Perhaps we could also remember to observe whether or not we also have a reactionary attachment to what we are responding to. Nice post. Thanks.
absolutely.
would love to hear more on how you're thinking about it!
-bri
I think if we each own a healthy sense of detatchment and perspective, then it will become more intuitive for us to respond in ways that are in harmony with our current state of being. This releases judgement about a “good” vs “bad” response. If we strive to act from our own place of highest good, then it's the best we can do in each moment. Responsibility then becomes Able Response, even as we grow…
~Michele
brilliant.
thanks for sharing!