Responsibility

There are many significant lessons that are becoming clearer amidst the economic uncertainty and challenges we continue to experience.

One of the greatest lessons for me is a renewed appreciation of the importance and sometimes unexpected rewards of duty, responsibility and recommitment to fundamentals. These principles, of course, are hallmarks of great character.

In today’s economy, consumers are taking more responsibility to live within their means; businesses are more focused on producing goods and services that consumers truly value; citizens are more motivated to reduce, reuse or recycle disposable products; legislators are more committed to assuring healthcare as a fundamental right; and diplomats are more aware of the limitations and cost of military force.

As we commemorate the service of war veterans and celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the re-opening of eastern Europe, I am reminded that our current freedom and high living standard was built by forefathers whose courage and selfless civic commitments made our lives far richer, freer and more rewarding.

Sooner or later each generation must acknowledge and accept its civic responsibilities.

In boom times we tend to direct our attention to grand ambitions and self-centered entitlements.

In tougher times, we are obliged to renew our fundamental agreements.

Today is our time to think bigger, be kinder and do our civic duty in support and service to others.

The enduring freedom, quality and richness of our lives and those of our children depend on it.

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“The reward of one duty is the power to fulfill another.” ~ George Eliot

“There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty to be happy.” ~ Robert Louis Stevenson

“All great things are simple and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honour, duty, mercy.” ~ Winston Churchill

“Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers.” ~ Henri Frederic Amiel

“Try to do your duty and you’ll know right away what you amount to.” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“The first duty of love is to listen.” ~ Paul Tillich

“Do your duty and leave the outcome to the gods” ~ Pierre Corneille

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