The Stillwater Project: Responsibility

The Stillwater Project met this last week. The Stillwater Project is a monthly "think tank" of character specialists. We meet at an area middle school to discuss and foster character qualities in youth. I am privileged to meet with this esteemed group.

This month the Stillwater Project met to discuss Responsibility. Responsibility is a tall topic for anyone, let alone twenty-five 12 and 13 year olds.

The project began with everyone getting a gummy finger puppet. Sounds simple enough, right? If not even "silly?" But when discussing responsibility its nice to begin with a hands on project. Do you know that without giving much direction a classroom of 12 and 13 will make sure that everyone gets "one." I like that. While many may sometimes ask "am I my brother's keeper," the Stillwater Group is here to say "yes." When we are responsible for each other in little matters like gummy finger puppets then we are more apt to be responsible for each other in larger projects.

Next everyone got a golf ball. A golf ball is a simple object with a lasting image: What is Tiger Woods' favorite golf club? His driver? His irons? His putter? Ask Tiger and he will tell you. They are all his favorite club. Each club has its own purpose, its own responsibility. Similarly each child in the class, each member of the community, the checker at the grocery store, and the waitress at the breakfast diner. Each has a purpose and responsibility and we are all responsible for each other. We are our brother's keeper. We are our sister's keeper. We take care of each other.

We role played. We played "What's My Line?" I even tried to sing a duet with one young lady. She wouldn't do it. Still, the Stillwater Group did all they could to learn, dialogue, and unravel the best understanding of what Responsibility means. Here is a working list of meanings they came up with:

The Stillwater Project:

Responsibility

• Do your work
• Work as a team
• Work together
• Patience
• Kindness
• Include others
• Don't leave anyone out
• Do your best
• Don't be afraid to fail
• Take care of others
• Try harder

There you have it: The Stillwater Project working results for the character trait of Responsibility. What might you add to the list? How might you put this learning from a group of 12 and 13 year olds into action? What can we learn from them, and how can we prosper from their Responsible contribution to you and me?

Here's the mountain man challenge: Let's let this group take the lead for a while. Hitch into their rope. Let them mount the next run. Let them lead us to the top. And let's you and me enjoy the view of a world made better by them!

I love you. Thanks for letting me climb with you! Jeff on the mountains.