In his press conference after his disappointing loss in the Finals of the U.S. Open, tennis player Rafael Nadal told reporters: "It's not the right moment to find excuses.... He (his opponent) did great, no?" I clipped the comment out of the newspaper and posted it on the refrigerator. Glancing at it some weeks later, Rafa's statement appears downright heroic. No excuses offered, he accepted responsibility for his performance. Alleluia.
The lack of personal responsibility so evident in our society has been written and talked about until the phrase has gone stale. When I approach the topic with philosophy students of all ages, we take a fresh angle and examine "response ability," discussing the human capability to answer when the world calls our name. Rather than viewing responsibility as a burden, the ability to use our capacity to respond to life as it happens shifts to an opportunity. Everything we do, all the things that we do not do, matter. Consequences ripple near and far. We do not live in isolation; we are part of the world and there are dues to be paid for membership. Choosing to respond to circumstances, come what may, helps us rise to the stature of our full humanity.
I think of French philosopher Albert Camus whenever ducking responsibility looms large. In his novel titled The Plague, we visit the town of Oran where the gates have clanged shut on an unsuspecting populace now facing an outbreak of plague. With no way out, it's all, and only, about seizing the opportunity to respond. By joining forces, linking arms, volunteering, and ministering to the sick, the power of human solidarity bolsters the citizens' spirits and fosters hope. "The thing was to do your job as it should be done," whatever your ability, wherever the need (The Plague). Dr. Rieux, indefatigable leader of the fight, asks Cottard, a shifty individual who chooses seclusion over responsibility, "do try at least not to propagate the microbe deliberately...." What an understated and perfect remark! If running from responsibility proves contagious, watch out.
Does it take a plague to trigger our response ability? "Stupidity has a knack of getting its way; as we should see if we were not always so much wrapped up in ourselves." A quick survey showcases this keen observation from Camus's novel: A smoker tosses the butt out the car window with a child strapped in the car seat. The newspaper is delivered in pouring rain, unwrapped and sopping wet, every time. The landlord refuses to clean the dryer vent and the fire department answers the call. Four "tennis players" cuss very loudly with every point at a public park filled with people. When asked if everyone would be forced to listen to their language all morning, they turned to each other and all four vehemently denied using profanity (though it ceased henceforth!). How many doctors and trainers and veterinarians are at the mercy of those who fail to show up for appointments? A woman takes in a dog that has killed cats, allowing him to roam the neighborhood with predictable results. Living in adjoining townhouses, a neighbor puts off fixing his gutter and the roof next door is damaged. Unwilling to deal with his or her own emotions, the person leaves someone else on the receiving end of the fallout. Chronically late, we are unable to honor the importance of another's time. Why pick up after the picnic? Sorry I didn't tell you there was a change in plans. School buses with red lights flashing, unloading and loading children, get passed in the parking lot by impatient parents. Don't worry about this place because I'm just renting. Add the zeroes as personal, national, and global debt spirals. Whew.
May the Nadal mentality catch fire. Now is not the right moment to find excuses. It is the time to unwrap ourselves from self-absorption. Response Ability.... Game on. Let's stop propagating the microbe.
