Harriman High School

Harriman, Tennessee
Teacher: Nancy Newcomb

 

 

 

 

 

 

RESPONSIBILITY

 

By Todd Sexton

10th Grade

               

When I look at my life I see responsibility in many forms. As I have gotten older my responsibility has gotten greater and has changed forms, but as this happens you must adapt to it. First I see the duties to my family and my friends. I also look at the responsibilities I have as a student. Last but most important I see my obligations and duties to God. The hard thing to do in life is to decide in which order you put this priority list.

           

I realize that as the oldest of three boys and as a teenager in the community I am an example to ones that are younger than I. I feel responsible for the life I live in front of them because someone will always be watching me. I have noticed that no matter what I am doing some one is watching and therefore I am performing for them.(Will they stand and applaud or will they leave during intermission?)  If I began using drugs then someone who had confidence in me would be more likely to do the same than if I stayed drug free.  I feel that everyone is an example. The question is, "are you one that will encourage or will you be a stumbling block?"  I always want to be responsible and be the right kind of example to whoever may be watching.

           

As a student the results of my decisions fall directly on me. If I goof-off now then I will pay the consequences later on. I feel that I alone am responsible for the plans that I make for my future. The grades and decisions the I make now will determine if my plans reach their summit or plunge to their death.  It is my job to do the best that I can no matter what restrictions or hindrances block my path. As a student I must be willing to meet deadlines and pay the consequences if I fail to do so.  I must be willing to accept the decisions of my teachers and peers so that they don't come between the reasons that I  am there.  I must be willing to make sacrifices and work harder than ever before so that I may be able to reach my goals.  The hard thing for me to do is make choices about my future but can not clearly see the outcome now. All that I have listed and much more lies on the shoulders of a responsible student whether they be in grammar school or the best university around. Responsibility comes in levels. A college student, of course, has more responsibility than some one in the second grade, but they both have equally weighted duties according to their age.

           

Most of all I see my responsibility as a Christian.  I must be willing to always walk the walk, no matter where I am or whom I am around.  Here again I am an example to my community, classmates, family and even the world.  It is my responsibility to tell all of these people about my Savior Jesus Christ- how he came to save the world from eternal damnation by dying on a tree.  Then on the third day he arose from the grave from which he ascended into heaven.  I feel that it is my duty to tell others that he is soon returning to claim his children and that if they don't know Him, they will spend eternity in hell.  As a Christian I must be an ambassador of Christ while, at the same time, respect the beliefs of others.  I must let my light shine so that my community may learn to know him but at the same time I can't force my beliefs upon anyone.  I can only tell someone about Christ and pray for him or her, but I can't force anything upon them.  I feel that this probably my biggest obligation because if I put God first, He will help me with what ever else comes along my way.  As I am an example to my friends and work to be a better student, I must always put God first, He will take care of the rest. 

           

The key to life is having your priorities straight, so I would say first God, then family, and then my responsibilities as a student.  You can't put the cart before the horse.  Responsibility comes in many forms.  The key is to put them in the correct order and put forth a little hard work.

 

Answers To Questions Regarding the Required Reading

 

1. I fell that Americans have lost the value of marriage.  The attitude is that if it doesn't work we can just divorce and start over.  I think that Americans use marriage as an excuse to be with someone and not feel guilty.  Marriage is a contract of the law but it is also a contract with God.  It is a contract not to be broken until death do you part.  Marriage has been abused so much that it has lost it moral value and people look upon it very lightly.

            The Manus literally invested in a marriage.  They invested material things into the marriage and it was a community investment.  If a marriage was to end then the whole community suffers a financial lose.  The community works together to see that a marriage works out because it would cost them as well as the couple.  In a way they use it as we use the stock market.

 

2.         Years Married                                                              Advice

            20 years                                                                       Proverbs 3:5

            32 years                                                                       Think a long time before you  make a commitment

            19 years                                                                       Compromise, give and take

            45 years                                                                       Don't beat your wife, share

            19 years                                                                       Good communication, forgiveness

            16years                                                                        Flexible, building your home around Christ             
            13 years                                                                       Communication

            55 years                                                                       Always put Christ first anremember to trust Him   

            36 years                                                                       Good communication

            20 years                                                                       Sharing everything

 

3.His collective goal was to find the American Dream.  Find happiness, wealth, and love.  To get these things without hurting someone else in the process.  He was looking for a better life and a better way to get to it.

 

4.As a community goal I think we should keep supporting our local missions. Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity are two good examples of local missions that we could support to help the ones of our community.  I realize that there are ones in need every where but I believe that we should help the ones in our surrounding area before helping the ones millions of miles away.  I understand that women and children are being abused every-where but Roane County is also full of those in need.  All you here about is world hunger but to do anything about it you must first start in your community.  I feel that as a community goal we should work to help the ones that are closest to use.  The closest to use is sometimes the ones we pass on the way to school or the guy that we over look because it is easier to forget than it is to try to help.  Before we tackle the world we must overcome the needs that face our own community.

 

5. I can not see the doll form of a mother but children do begin to pull away from their parents when they are not there. Parents now work more than ever before and children are given responsibility at a younger age and at greater quantities.  I feel that kids learn to do more on their own and therefore become more independent at a earlier age. The responsibility is a good thing but the lack of supervision hurts them in the long run.

 

I can see the great divide between those who have and those who have not.  I feel that it is getting greater and greater instead of decreasing.  Even when jobs are available the ability or qualification may not be.  Every generation tries to improve the standard of living for themselves but sometimes they do so at the expense of others.  In a lot of cases the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poor.  We should strive to better our life but at the same time not damage the foundation of someone else.

 

6. Democracy gives us many choices and I than God for them. At the same time others abuse them and it hurts use all by reducing our freedoms. Abusing the rights that we are given causes the need for lawyers and police officers. Democracy gives us freedom but at the same time it gives use more responsibility and with responsibility comes more choices. With a democracy there is sometimes more than one answer and lawyers are used to reason out the best possible solution to the problem.

           

With wealth we begin to look higher than the basic necessities and begin to show diversity in our ideas. Size plays an important part because with every person comes a different opinion. Middle ground is the concept that lawyers are looking for in and out of the courtroom.

 

7. Regulations would be my choice because the key word to punitive damage is damage.  Punitive damage may make up for the loses but the damage has already been done. We should use regulations to stop the damage before it happens instead of making up for it when it is too late. Punitive damage could pay to have the nail removed but the hole is still there. The damage has been done to the wood and no amount of money will remove the holes. I feel that regulations could help stop the problems before they need to be paid for.

 

8. As the baby boomers begin to retire the benefits toward use will be greatly appreciated. As they retire many will begin a new career. Some will start new businesses and help satisfy the wants of others. Some will even become mentors to others because they will have more time on their hands. The greatest gift ever will be the example they have left to the Hers coming up. As they retire it is sure that they will continue to pave the way for us.              

 

9. I can't see the anti-poverty plan working as of now, maybe in five or ten years it might be the answer. The country can't change over night. For the ones who need the help it might work but there will always be someone who will abuse the system. A few people can ruin it for everyone.  I can't see it working but the only way to find out is to try it.

 

10.       a)They both work to help the others that were in need.

            b)Both set up a place for kids to learn and have a safe environment after school hours.

            c)They were both active in their communities and the churches they attend.