The Statue of Responsibility

“Freedom, however, is not the last word. Freedom is only part of the story and half of the truth. Freedom is but the negative aspect of the whole phenomenon whose positive aspect is responsibleness. In fact, freedom is in danger of degenerating into mere arbitrariness unless it is lived in terms of responsibleness. That is why I recommend that the Statue of Liberty on the East Coast be supplemented by a Statue of Responsibility on the West Coast” (Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel, 2006, p132).

If there is no responsibility, then there is no freedom.

If the world happens to you, then you’ll simply get caught in its current and are driven and tossed to and fro.

But if you take responsibility, then you can happen to the world.

Did you lose your job? The freeman takes responsibility and doesn’t waste the opportunity to try something new. Did you lose your health? The freeman takes responsibility and doesn’t waste the opportunity to show others how to suffer graciously. Did you experience tragedy? The freeman takes responsibility and doesn’t waste the opportunity to gain the wisdom that can only be learned through tragedy.

Whatever happened in your past, you’re always free to change your future. But only if you take responsibility of the past, instead of being a victim to the past.

I agree with Victor Frankel. Sometimes I’m surprised our Statue of Liberty is still standing. If we don’t also have a Statue of Responsibility, our liberty will crumble.

What do you think?
Joseph