Acts of Nature
by R. LeAnne
Though I may sit and watch, I am in no way responsible for this meal. I
did not order it. I did not prepare it. I did not serve it. I do not
have the ability to control acts of nature. If I do not control acts of
nature how can I be responsible for them?
No one in their right mind would feel any responsibility for lightning
destruction done to a house, nor would the person who’s home was damaged
place blame for the damage on another person. Why then do people claim
responsibility for the feelings of another? Why do people give up
responsibility for things that are solely their own? Feelings are just
as much an act of nature as a desert storm is. Since I am not
responsible for the storm or its destruction, why should I feel
responsible for the feelings of another autonomous adult? How can I
make an autonomous adult feel anything? I might empathize with the
people who’s home was damaged in the storm. I might even do something
to try to help them repair their home but I am in no way responsible for
the destruction or for the storm.
For a long time I thought I was responsible for acts of nature. I was
responsible for ensuring those around me never felt unhappiness, anger
or discomfort. If they felt such feelings I believed I was
responsible. How arrogant to ever think I had such powers. How
arrogant to think so little of those around me. Each adult is solely
responsible for his or her thoughts, feeling and emotions, no one else.
To try to claim responsibility for another’s feelings is very
disrespectful and dehumanizing. By claiming responsibility, one is
saying the other is incapable and somehow less of adult. If one places
blame for their feelings on another, they are degrading and
disrespecting themselves. They are giving up control of the very thing
that makes them human.
As a true and respectful adult I will not, can not, be responsible for
anyone but myself. I also respect others too much to allow them to
degrade themselves by handing me the responsibility of their feelings.
Some damage or destruction touches us all. When I am witness to, or
made aware of the lightning strike, I will pack up my tools and offer
assistance to the best of my ability. I offer my assistance as one
adult to another. This offer is now a personal choice I make and no
longer an obligation of guilt.
I used to think I can summon the wind but I was mistaken. Acts of
nature are no longer listed on my resume.
A storm rolls across the desert quickly and efficiently. It delivers an
appetizer of low deep rumblings of thunder followed by the pungent aroma
of the desert shrubs opening up to receive the rain. The main course is
often bitter sweet-a deluge of much needed moisture served with pinpoint
destruction of lightning strikes. Sitting on the edge of the valley
offers one a unique view of the entire table on which the meal is
served. Occasionally one will witness a lone house receive the brunt of
the lightning’s destruction.
COPYRIGHT 2001 BY BEN PARRISH