Responsibility

The old saying goes that "You can't pour from an empty pitcher." Meaning that you cannot take care of others unless you can take care of yourself first. If you're unable to help yourself, how is it that you're able to take care of others problems?

But you know, as always, there may be exceptions to the rule. We recently got a dog at home. My brothers and I have always wanted a dog and here we finally have one. I have two brothers, both younger, one 20 and one 15. My youngest brother isn't what you would call social, in fact, he stays inside often. Ever since we got Chewie, our dog, he's been happier and more responsible. Heck, I've been more responsible by waking up earlier to walk him and stuff. Before my brother only have to take care of himself but now he has to take care of a living, breathing being. He has to make sure he's taken care of, well fed, all that good stuff. I think he spent a few nights researching things about dogs because he'd tell me these things that are good and bad for the dog. Tell me that's not responsibility. In the short time that we've had the dog, I've seen my brother grow up just a little bit and be a little bit happier.

My best friend told me that once he had his son, his life changed, and for the better. My parents always say that we'll understand when we have kids, that it all changes and everything you do is based upon your child or children. Now I'm not saying having a dog is as close to a big responsibility as it is having a child, however, I will note that perhaps we can start small at a young age, to be able to learn how it is to be responsible to not only another, but to ourselves.