The first UU principle compels us to value the inherent worth & dignity of every person.

Gee, principles are great, but how do we put this into practical action?

Responsibility

What is our responsibility about the inherent worth and dignity of every person?
Do we have any responsibility when things don’t work out for others?

I’ve worked with a product engineer to develop an Pocket Right Response Ball.

It’s convenient, discrete, and pocket-sized.

Better yet, with the Pocket Right Response Ball, you can avoid responsibility for your actions and be freed from needing to think deeply or be in touch with your feelings. The more spiritual among us might say it’s controlled by some higher power.

It includes many handy excuses:

• 24-hour flu
• Full moon
• Aliens
• Voices made me
• What memo?
• Oprah
• Huh?
• Kryptonite

Responsibility for others?

Do we have any responsibility when things don’t work out for others?
What is our responsibility?

Take, for example, when you get asked for money by a homeless street person. What is your feeling, your thought, your response? Is it a moment when you can express your belief in the inherent worth & dignity of every person? What if you had a Pocket Right Response Ball?

• Change the subject
  • “I gave at the office.”
• Determine if they are worthy
  • “What are you going to do with the money?”
  • “What did you with the $ gave you last time?”
  • [size them up before you do anything]
• Unconditional love
  • “I love you”
  • “Hello, friend”
• Problem solving
  • “How can I help you?”
  • “Have you tried any of the homeless shelters?”
  • “Here’s a token for food from the food store.”
• Share some of your own outlook
  • “What did you do wrong?”
  • “Will you work for food?”
  • “Jesus loves you”
  • “I was put here [by God] to help you right now.”
  • “I will pray for you.”
• Compassionate
  • “There, but for the grace of God, go I”
• Toughlove
  • “Get a X&@$%) Job!”
  • “You’re on your own.”
  • “We’re all on our own.”
  • “Why should I give you anything, when I need to work for the money I have?”
• Tough
  • “If you don’t get out of here, I’ll call the cops.”
• Cynical, suspicious
  • “Didn’t I see you eating at Mille Fleurs yesterday?”
  • “Isn’t this just going to go for booze or drugs?”
• Ignore, denial
  • [just look away]
• Move problem to somewhere else
  • “If I give you $20, will you go to the next town?”

How much of your response to anyone asking you for help – not just homeless street people – relates to your world view, your spiritual outlook, & your principles? Can you help someone maintain their dignity and worth as you help? When you sense a need, is it a moment when you can express your belief in the inherent worth & dignity of every person?

St Francis of Assisi – Can true humility and compassion exist in our words and eyes unless we know we too are capable of any act?

Steve Hagen – Right action is selfless, in which you don’t see yourself as separate.

Kahlil Gibran – is there aught you would withhold? All you have shall some day be given.