A Reflection on Responsibility

While waiting at Bandaranaike Airport on the arrival side with my friend, an unexpected moment made me reflect on something larger than the situation itself. We were eagerly awaiting the arrival of another friend when I noticed a No Smoking sticker clearly placed in an area where smoking was strictly prohibited. Yet, as I looked around, I saw people casually lighting up cigarettes, completely disregarding the sign. What caught my attention even more was that some of the airline staff themselves were smoking in that area. It left me feeling conflicted—on one hand, there was a system in place, a rule meant to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers and visitors, yet on the other hand, the very people responsible for enforcing the rules were the ones violating them. This situation sparked a deeper thought. We constantly hear the need to change the system—whether it's about improving safety, better services, or enforcing rules. But if those within the system are not abiding by the established rules, how can we expect the system to work as it’s intended? It made me realize that we all are part of the system, and change begins with the individual. If people continue to act in contradiction to the values and rules set by society, institutions, or even governments, it creates a sense of inconsistency and chaos. So, how do we actually change the system? It’s not enough to point fingers at others, or to simply say, “someone should do something about it.” We are part of the system. Every one of us plays a role in making sure things run as they should. If we notice issues like this—whether it’s about rules being ignored, social injustices, or failures in a larger structure—we need to take responsibility. We can start by setting an example ourselves. When we act with integrity and push for others to do the same, we contribute to a larger wave of change. Challenging the norm doesn’t always mean waiting for someone else to take action—it’s about speaking up, encouraging accountability, and creating small but meaningful shifts in behavior. In the case of this airport, perhaps it starts with the staff being more aware of the impact of their actions. Maybe there could be more visible reminders or consequences for violating these rules. It’s not about punishment but rather fostering a culture where respect for rules is the standard, not the exception. If everyone from the top down to the passengers starts adhering to these standards, change will follow. As I stood there, I realized that to change the system, we must begin with ourselves as individuals who respect the rules, promote accountability, and hold ourselves and others to higher standards. Only then can we hope to see a more positive shift in the systems around us. The experience at Bandaranaike Airport on February 6 made me think about how often we expect change but rarely take responsibility for creating that change ourselves. Change starts from within. We are the system.