I was sitting in a local park, eating my lunch, when I noticed a sign that read “path closed sunset to dawn.” I thought about it for a minute and considered how funny it was that somebody could “close” nature. This was simply a beautiful path that ran along a lake. No fences, no barricades, and really no reason it should ever be “closed.”
You can’t close nature… can you?
My mind soon drifted to all the other times I have seen sings declaring “park closes at sunset.” There must be some liability reason for this, or perhaps to keep out some mischievous kids. It seems to me that evening and night time would be a great time to visit a park. Being able to get away from the city, get into some peace and quiet, maybe get away from some of the light pollution so we can actually see some stars in the night sky.
It’s too bad that people can’t be trusted to look out for themselves, to take personal responsibility for their actions, and to respect other’s property. If everyone could do these few things, we might actually be able to enjoy more of what our world has to offer. We wouldn’t need so many rules and restrictions. We might actually be able to enjoy a park in the evening.
Why must our world be tied up in legality and liability? It’s because of us. We caused this world. Whenever you wonder why the world is a certain way. The answer is almost always “because we made it that way.” We are quick to blame others, we are quick to put others down to make ourselves feel better, we are quick to break rules that we feel aren’t just or don’t apply to us. Everything that is wrong in the world is our fault.
Wow, that sucks, huh. Maybe, but the real message here is that we have the power to change it. One person at a time, one step at a time. But, you have to change yourself, and only yourself. You can suggest that others change, but you have no power to actually change them. I would rather spend time improving myself, because I know that is where I can make the difference.
Start small. Look for little opportunities to take responsibility. If I twist my ankle stepping in a hole at my local park, I’m not going to blame the owners of the park. It’s not their fault the hole was there, or even if it was, the cause of the twisted ankle is me not paying attention to my surroundings. Take personal responsibility.
Why is it so hard for us to admit mistakes? Is it the competitive nature of our society, is it human nature? Heck, I don’t really know. It’s simply hard. Sometimes the trick is to just recognize the things that are hard for us. Then take those realizations and act on them. Is it uncomfortable to admit to being wrong, to apologize, to take responsibility? Darn right it is. A wise person once told me, “The only way to grow is to get outside of your comfort zone.”
I’m ready to change the world. I’m doing it by changing myself. By recognizing what improvements I need to make in me, and working on those. Even as I write this, I write it for me. Writing is my creative outlet. It’s also where I recognize the lessons I need to learn. Now it would be fantastic if I could help.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Eric – Great post! I chuckled a bit because I’ve wondered about that sign too. I absolutely agree with you about responsibility. I think we often define that word in terms of our responsibility to others, but true responsibility starts with us, then works outward. What a world it would be if we all woke up each morning saying “I choose to take responsibility for my life and my dreams today.” I’m by no means fully there yet myself, but am certainly more willing to admit mistakes. I think I’ve actually come to the place where I expect to make mistakes so they don’t surprise me so much. Thanks.
Patty @ Why Not Start Now?´s last blog ..The House of Belonging
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Eric Watermolen
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November 25th, 2009 at 8:43 am
What a great quote to use “I choose to take responsibility for my life and my dreams today.” I can only imagine how different our world would be if everyone lived it.
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As I was reading your post, the first thought that came to mind was that it probably is just too expensive to keep a park open at night especially with government’s economic problems. How often do things also come down to finances?
Then I read further and I totally agree that there are also the libility issues that come into play and how quickly we blame others insteady of taking responsibility. I am also a believer in changing yourself because that is really the only one we can change. As many times as I have tried to change someone else, it has seldom worked. So instead I now analyze the situation and determine how I can change instead. Of course, that change may be as simple as accepting what is and moving on.
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Eric Watermolen
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November 25th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Things often do come down to finances. It’s funny, in this case it didn’t even enter my mind. Probably because this “closed path” was litteraly a path along the bank of a really big lake. There wasn’t even a way to physically close it, no fense, no chain, no security, no gaurd dogs. Even so, in the background, this is likely driven by a financial issue. The cost potential of being liable for accident or injury, and the cost of repairing vandalism. The root of all this points back to the lack of personal responsibilty.
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Great post Eric! The park issue is an unfortunate side effect of modern progress in my opinion. People are drawn towards big or relatively big cities where they can make money. Unfortunately cities also attract scumbags and perverts who can use open at night parks for something horrible. I personally would not feel comfortable going to the park at night and I live in a safe area!
I agree that each of us is personally responsible for what is going on around us. We cannot always blame somebody else for our problems and mishaps. We just have to get over them no matter what and our complains are not great helpers when it comes to solving any problems. I definitely support you in your idea about changing the world by changing yourself. I am doing the same thing
Anastasiya´s last blog ..A Simple Way to Be Thankful and to Help Someone in Need
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Eric Watermolen
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November 30th, 2009 at 10:10 am
Thanks Anastasiya. Every time I come back to this post I think of how wonderful it is to spend time outside at night. It’s a very peaceful and magical time. You made me think though, this whole park issue is only for us city dwellers. If you live out in the country, it’s very easy to spend time outdoors at night.
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Great post Eric! I agree wholeheartedly with this post. Taking responsibility is hard for humans to do. When things go wrong, people like to look for someone or something to blame.
I really believe that taking accountability is the first step in taking control of your life. By blaming someone else, you are actually giving your power away.
Ralph´s last blog ..The Ultimate Guide to Giving and Taking Constructive Criticism
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Eric Watermolen
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December 15th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Thanks Ralph. That is such a great concept. “taking accountability is the first step in taking control of your life. By blaming someone else, you are actually giving your power away.” I really like the idea that taking accountability actually creates power.
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