Life Lesson Number Two

Be Accountable

I often talk out loud when I am composing something in my head. Today when I was forming the thoughts for Life Lesson Number Two, I said said the title out loud... and then I laughed.  Try it.  Say "Be Accountable" out loud.  Then join me in a giggle as we imagine a roomful of confused and worried people who think we are advising them to "be a cannibal."   Haha! I am so easily amused!

As I was talking with the girls this afternoon, I explained to them that being accountable means being able to stand up and defend your actions with clear conscience and absolute conviction. Before making decisions, ask yourself if you are willing to stand up in front of perfect strangers as well as those you love and defend your choices. If the answer is no then you might want to reconsider your actions.

Life is a series of choices and not all of those choices will have favorable outcomes. Being willing to take responsibility for the bad as well as the good outcomes is a true testament to a person's character.  I am certainly not immune to making mistakes, but I am willing to accept responsibility for the consequences of my actions. Believe me, I know how easy it can be to hide until the storm has passed  but hiding never solved anything and eventually life will catch up anyway.

Yes, I believe in Karma. 

I have experienced dark days when I could not believe that the Universe allows some people to get away with terrible deeds, seemingly without consequence. I have cried into my pillow after being betrayed by someone I loved, and I openly questioned how people can skate through life without being held accountable for their actions. Then (sometimes years later) life catches up. I have seen those same people go through hard times, experience heartache and struggle and then throw their hands to the sky, wondering why life is so cruel. That person never learned to be accountable for their actions and as a result, their life is constant chaos and misery.  I doubt  they will ever understand that their actions, and absolute lack of accountability are a very big reason why their lives will always be unhappy. A little accountability goes a long way.

Interestingly enough, being accountable is so much easier if you are paying attention to Life Lesson Number One.  Being accountable is not always easy, but I promise you it is worth it.