Responsible Thoughts

*The following is a conversation between a classmate and Ely Buendia, who both attended a wake of an ex-Law-Schoolmate.

N: Hi! I'm N and you are?
Ely B. (flabbergasted): Ahm.. I'm Ely.. Ely Buendia.

WTF! I was laughing my ass out when I've heard this from my friend who attended the wake of an ex-Law-Schoolmate's father. Too bad I wasn't there to meet Ely face to face, because of that friggin' subject in school. Now back to N. With her age I was surprised that she didn't know Ely Buendia. I wondered what's her life was during her teenage years. But that's her. I know she's so absorbed by her work, law school and plus the fact that she has to allot her time for his family. Now considering all these, I don't think N could really have a social life with all her responsibilities. I even doubt that she even has the time to watch TV or read a newspaper and be updated with the entertainment industry. So I forgive her for not knowing Ely, or even The Eraserheads. Haha!!

Now, I'd like to talk about the word RESPONSIBILITY. We all have our own responsibilities. From the time we were born up to the time we get old, the word does not leave our side. Our dad would even proclaim from the first time you were born that his son or daughter will be the greatest lawyer, doctor or whatever. From that point on we were given the responsibility by our parents to strive hard in achieving our dreams, though impliedly.

Responsibility takes various forms. Responsibility to our family, Responsibility to our friends, Responsibility to our partners, Responsibility to the girl we impregnated, Responsibility to fellow bloggers, Responsibility to our boss in the company we are working, Responsibility to our country, Responsibility to the world, Responsibility to the society. But I believe the hardest responsibility that we have to deal with is RESPONSIBILITY to OURSELVES.

I must admit that I am having a hard time being responsible of everything that concerns me. I know I am responsible for my health and no doctor nor medicine would treat whatever ailment I have or will have if I won't stop abusing myself and start a healthy lifestyle. I know I have the responsibility to get if not good grades at least passing marks in school, but what am I doing, I am procrastinating a lot and cannot focus on studying. My parents don't even know yet that I won't graduate next year. I just hope I'd be able to muster the guts to tell them soon.

Tsk! Tsk! Emo na naman ako. hehe!!

Eto na lang!

According to my own analysis and thought process there are only two kinds of Responsibilities. Those that are 1)Assumed voluntarily; or 2)Imposed upon, hence there are only two kinds of people based on the responsibilities they take, the ASSUMPTIONISTAs and THE-PUSH-and-PULL.

ASSUMPTIONISTAs(Sometimes called the 'PASAN'- (short for Pasan ang daigdig) or the common term MARTYR)

When a responsibility is assumed voluntarily the one taking it believes in himself that he can do whatever that task or deed is. Assumptionistas are often jack-of-all trades. They have this versatile personality which is a plus-factor because they can actually enter whatever endeavour they want. There are critics who dubbed them as "e-pals" because sometimes their act of volunteerism goes over the top.

A person who voluntarily assumes responsibility is admirable to some extent but some are frowned upon because sometimes there are those who voluntarily assume responsibilities but in the end cannot even execute.

The PUSH and PULL (From the definition of FORCE in Physics)

These people are the ones who are obliged, compelled or forced to take upon a responsibility which they are not absolutely willing to take but because they are either overpowered or there is moral ascendancy on the part of the one imposing such responsibility they give in and accept it.

Push-and-pull people are pitiful on the one hand and admirable in the other. Pitiful because they don't have the strength to express their disagreement to the imposition of the responsibility. Admirable, because of the respect that they have for their superiors or the people with the moral ascendancy giving the responsibility.

I think at some point in our lives we've experienced being an ASSUMPTIONISTA or a PUSH-AND-PULL. There are pros and cons but I guess being in either of those categories would make us realize and learn a lot of things, because a responsibility assumed or imposed, big or small creates a sense of pride and joy in all of us if we have succeeded in fulfilling it.

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*By the way I remember a film which centers on the concept RESPONSIBILITY. Try to watch "Babel", the one by Brad Pitt!, one awesome movie!

The BIG R

Responsibility.

That's the BIG R I am talking about. Being the beadle of our class (in law school) is quite a big task for me. I've been a leader all throughout my college years and I know the big responsibility attached to it. Being a leader requires a lot of sacrifices, up to the point when your academics become your "extra-curricular" activity. I have been active all throughout my college years and not that I am blaming the organizations I have participated in, but being a leader really affected my studies. But yet, I don't have regrets since both ways I know, I could gain something. I really had a hard time being a leader, because as a leader you also should be a good example. But the hardest part of being a leader is organizing an activity and trying to get the attention of everyone. I do get irritated sometimes when some target participants express their unwillingness to attend the activities. Their reason?, they won't get any incentive from doing so. It's somehow acceptable for college students to be unwilling when it comes to attending organized activities, but in Law School where people are expected to be mature enough and more than willing (of course without the presence of a fortuitious event), I think it's no excuse not to attend an activity because you'll not get any incentive. Yes practicality wise, we should be compensated for whatever "DEED" or "FAVOR" we give to anyone but my point is that, is it always necessary that when we do things for other people we should expect something in return? I may sound a hypocrite but I don't think it's not always the case, whatever deed or favor we are asked to, should be willingly and generously given.

When I entered Law School, and even before that I have promised to myself to concentrate more on my studies and as much as possible constrain myself with extra-curricular activities or engaging myself in any kind of activity which entails great responsibility. Well the funny things is, the very first day of the class I was just LUCKILY assigned by one of our professors to be responsible for the photocopying of his book for the entire class. He assigned me as the 'beadle' of the class. Eventually, in other classes professors would normally ask who is the president or the leader of the class whom they could rely to, usually when they would give out assignments etc. Well, the class did nominate me in the position, basically rooted on the appointment of one of my professors, as mentioned above. I conceded to the decision of the class. I accepted the position, I accepted the responsibility with a thought on my mind that the task is not that difficult unlike what I was engaged to during my college years. I must admit I did not take the task seriously. What was on my mind was that it was just an informal thing. It's like, I was just assigned to be a representative of the class for the time being. I am not used with appointments maybe that's the reason. I want everything to follow a process, and I thought it never happened.

I became the "messenger" of the class, usually when there is an announcement from the dean's office. A "semi-production assistant", when some continually ask for information on assignments they never didn't bother to take note. Well it is okay for me to do those things, and I think I'm getting used to it. And with the type of personality I have, who's always ready to help everyone, as long as I can, I could tolerate those things. (Exception: not when I am soundly asleep! hehe!)..

The block I belong to was very much rigged by a lot of controversies. But I never take sides. I still continue what I am supposed to do. Before the second semester began last year, I decided to relinquish my position to another, but the people I have cunningly given motives to of transferring the position have explicitly disregarded the offer. So I continued holding the torch. Well, as second semester continues to bring hell with everyone, I have managed to slowly overcome the difficult responsibility. The responsibility slowly sinks in with me. Of course I could not do this without the help of some blockmates who have the initiative to do their responsibilities as well for the block. The bond that I have forged with other blockmates gave me also the confidence in me to continually give out my very best in serving the block. I just hope these people continually support, not me, but the block.