We Know The Decision Day Is Coming. This Action Will Have Consequences.

(Editor's note about the author: T.O. Illustratio is a free lance writer and observer of the interaction of personalities in everyday life. The author seeks to inspire readers to look within themselves to see how much good they can do in this world when a definitive purpose in life is clear.)

You know the feeling. I recognize it too. The increased heart rate. The sweating, the pit in our stomachs, the activation of the fight or flight syndrome, with more emphasis on the flight part. It would be easier to take the safe way out, to let someone else do it, to wait until later. Later is easier. Later is safer. Later reduces any risks, those imagined and those which are real. This action will have consequences.

There is that dreaded road to a higher moral ground, the trail to taking a firm stand for virtue and righteousness. But what is the consequence? This question is why there are so many exits and rest stops on the road to higher moral ground.

I could easily pen feel-good stories that have happy endings. And for the younger readers, yes, "pen" is the correct word. I write it out first, then transfer it to this finished product. I could even write about taking the difficult road to higher moral ground, while avoiding the trip myself. Who would know the consequences of my own actions?

There is a truism in all of our lives. Sooner or later we will have to make a decision. The specific content of these individual decisions will vary according to our divergent circles of influence. But be assured, the day will come for all of us. Do we stand up for what is right or do we shrink back into those cool, seemingly safe shadows of fear, indifference, and apathy. This action will have consequences.

This Action Will Have Consequences

There is a saying that "life imitates art." I'm borrowing one such form of art as part of this column. There was a movie produced several years ago that included a passage from the Declaration of Independence.

"When a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and provide new Guards for their future security". The lead actor, (Nicolas Cage) explains its meaning as: "If there's something wrong, those who have the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action"

Ah, those words, responsibility, duty, honor. They are so much easier to accept when there is nothing for us to lose. It's a snap to be honorable if doing so requires no effort, no honesty, no responsibility for the results. But actions have consequences.

Imagine the significance of this priceless document that cast the vision for our nation. Imagine yourself sitting in that room, debating the content of each section, knowing two things. You all come from different backgrounds with different viewpoints and different constituencies in which you are representing. But you all have one thing in common. If this idea fails, you will die in a public manner and it will be painful. Your actions have consequences.

But most likely these framers also considered the probable results of shrinking back into the shadows of fear, indifference, and apathy. What are the consequences? They were living those results already and those results were unacceptable.

How many millions of people have lived, thrived, and flourished in America, thanks to the actions of the framers of our nation's vision?

"Those Who Have The Ability"

The very word, "responsibility" directs our course of action. Response ability. The ability to respond. The ability to right the wrongs. The ability to defend the defenseless. The ability to not only call out injustice, but to not be unjust to anyone else. Accepting responsibility. This action will have consequences. Some will be painful.

But here's the thing, and there is no getting around it. Not accepting responsibility will also be painful. Sooner or later the time comes in all of our lives when we need to decide. Do we step out boldly on to that higher moral ground?

Response ability. The ability to respond. Your actions have consequences, but take courage in this truism as well. Consequences can have multiple meanings. Those consequences could be life-changing for someone who doesn't have that aforementioned ability.

Since we know the day is coming for us to decide, perhaps it is wise to decide right now? Perhaps it is prudent to step on to the higher moral ground of responsibility. This action will have consequences that will further the vision of this nation where all are created equal with opportunities for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

For the person writing this, and the people reading it, we have the ability. It is our duty to take the higher moral ground, to take action when something is wrong.

Written by T.O. Illustratio

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