" During the time I was playing, I was having fun; riding on my speed bike of speed with my favorite paddle and ball. I wanted to see how many times I can bounce the ball off the paddle while riding around the living room. I wanted to set a record! I was in my own world, using my imagination and having no cares.

" When I bounced the ball wrong, it hit the lamp and it broke. I suddenly snapped back into the real world and came to realize the mess I made - all the pieces of lamp scattered about the fallen table, and my ball rolling to a stop right next to me. I didn't want to face the blame for the mess, so I ran into my room and hid.

" Shortly after, my mom came up and asked me what happened to the living room lamp. My brain rushed to come up with a story that didn't put the blame on me. I tried to tell her that it wasn't me and I was in my room the entire time. She saw through my lie and grounded me, taking away my bike, paddle and ball. She told me that I have to be responsible for my actions and the mess I made. She told me that is a big part about growing up."

Everyone doesn't want to be responsible for their actions, mistakes, and messes. Everyone wants to live freely without any responsibilities and consequences, to do what they want when they want and how they want. Sadly, that mostly can't happen. If you are to blame for something that you did was wrong, if you caused any wrong doing to someone, or if you said something offensive and wrong, you need to take responsibility, tough it out, and hopefully learn from it. It sucks, but it shows that you know when to be responsible, that you know the difference between right and wrong, and that you are aware of those around you and how they feel.

artwork © 2016 Alex Cockburn