Day 644: 5 Minute Freewrite: Friday - Prompt: Personal responsibility

Mr. Fleet always closed his summer jobs training camp with the same admonition.

“A lot of you are unhappy already with the kinds of jobs you are going to be able to get as teens with a past full of struggles. You want me to build you a path to the life you dream of, and you are unhappy with the first steps you'll have to take.

“Let me tell you the secret to getting to the life you want: personal responsibility. Whatever it is that you do, do it with every ounce of strength that you have, and someone will notice and give you an opportunity to do the very best you can with something greater.

“I'm not saying that racism, sexisn, ageism, ableism, and other isms are not going to impact your future. It's the job of people my age to work on clearing more and more of those hurdles for you – but you still have to jump the hurdles that remain, along with the hurdles that are not going anywhere in terms of competition for the kinds of jobs you can get. If you don't run and jump as hard as you can, we can't do anything for you on the other end.

“Whatever you get, be responsible. Stand up and be counted when things go right, and spread the credit around to everyone that helps you. Stand up and be counted when things go wrong, accept your part in it without deflecting onto others, take your lumps, and get back to work. Both of those are hard. Do them consistently, and you'll have work when others are not able to find jobs any more.

“Finally: once you have mastered all of this, it will be your turn to take my place and teach those coming after you. The greatest personal irresponsibility is to not pass on what is working for you to someone else. I'm not going to be doing this ten years from now. You are. Accept the responsibility and get ready for it.

“Class dismissed, and best to you all in your endeavors!”