• What does it mean to be personally responsible?
  

Today we are going to talk about Personal Responsibility? Those are two big words. Does anyone know what Responsibility is?

Responsibility or responsible is just another word for doing something that you should. When you are responsible it means you are taking care of things that you should, like keeping your room or desk clean or following the rules at school and at home. Now, what does the word personal mean?

Personal is just another word for a person. It’s talking about you. So today we are going to work on learning how you can take care of responsibilities.

Choose your Breathing Anchor

1. Sit with your back straight and your body relaxed, resting your hands gently on your knees, and close your eyes, if you're comfortable doing so. Notice what it feels like to breathe in and out right now.

2. Now put one finger under your nose and feel your breath going in and out. Can you feel it?

3. Next, place your hand on your chest, over your heart. Can you feel your hand moving when you breathe?

4. Now place your hand on your belly and feel the movement of your breathing there.

5. Put your hands back on your knees and breathe naturally. Notice where you feel the movement of your breath most easily. Is it just beneath your nose, at your chest, or at your belly? Whichever you choose, that place is your anchor.

6. Now lightly rest your attention on your anchor and see if you can keep your body relaxed at the same time. This is how we rest in the feeling of the movement of our breath.

When we are not being responsible (doing the right thing), it greatly impacts those around us. It is our responsibility to help one another when we see someone struggling, to be polite and respectful, be a good citizen.

Materials needed: Copies of the Scenarios

What would the world look like if no one was responsible?

Divide into 4-5 groups and role play what it would look like without responsibility. Give the groups a few minutes to decide what they are going to do and allow for time for each group to present.

Afterwards discuss how responsibility would make the situation better.

Scenario 1: The entire class didn’t do their homework.

Scenario 2: You forgot to feed your pets.

Scenario 3: Your entire family didn’t clean the house.

Scenario 4: You and your friends keep losing things.

Scenario 5: Half the team is late for the big game.

• Who makes the decision to be personally responsible?
• Could your actions or lack thereof affect someone else?