“Who are you going to blame your life on today?” This
question was presented by a woman to herself during a tumultuous period in her
life. A time in her life when she didn’t own up to the choices she had made
that lead her to despair. In a podcast the woman was on, she describe how
during that turbulent time she desired major life changes however she didn’t
want any disruptions, suffer any possible consequences nor give up any
current comforts. Listening to her speak, I reflected on my own life and
wondered if I had ever been so ridiculously conflicted about taking ownership
while desiring change. To be honest I did recall the time when I too lacked –
personal accountability. I remembered when I blamed someone else for where my life was, until I realized how stagnant it made me mentally and physically.
“Being willing
to answer….for the outcomes resulting from your choices, behavior and actions.”
– Todd Herman. Personal accountability is a consistent commitment to yourself to
consciously take ownership and responsibility for the direction of your life. I
understand that bad things happen however your response to situations and/or
misfortune is often the deciding factor for the path you are now on. I know
that accepting personal accountability in all areas of one’s life can be a difficult
task if you lack self-awareness. Self-awareness assist in holding yourself
accountable for your decisions and actions. It builds character and enriches
your personality. I know I can attest to how I feel better allowing myself to
accept that it’s ok to make a mistake as long as you self-correct.
“There is growth
in your character helps to withstand all that you’ve been through when you assume
accountability” – Dr. Leroy E. Adams Jr. I had to write this comment down
my fiancé offered in a discussion we were having on the topic of personal accountability.
Breaking habits and reconditioning yourself can be a complex process due to how
complacent we become in our practiced behavior. If it is brought to my
attention that I offended someone, I like to consider their point of view. On
my self-improvement journey I’ve learned to accept the negative impact my actions
can cause even if I had good intentions. A healthy form of communication helps
to alleviate misconceptions and resolve potential problems. Why does this
process become such a daunting task to some? Because it means you have to assume
accountability, what your actions were and most importantly admit what you
could have done better. Your growth can only be hindered if you refuse to acknowledge
there is a need to grow.
So tell me who are you going to blame your life on
today? Who’s at fault for you choosing to lose sight of your peace, contentment
or joy? “Watch
your thoughts, for they become words. Watch your words, for they become
actions. Watch your actions, for they become habits. Watch your habits for they
become character. Watch your character for it becomes your destiny” – Lao
Tzu. We know that with our words we can motivate ourselves to do
incredible things or we can discourage our own progression. Our words can create intimacy or separation. With our words
we can motivate ourselves to do things we never thought we could do or bury us
alive. How much has your pattern of thinking allowed you to succeed or be
unsuccessful?
Remember you become what you think, so it is your
responsibility to assume ownership of your thoughts and actions. The energy you
use to blame others for where you are in life can also be used to figure out a
solution to change where you are in life. Remaining idle in a negative space is
a choice you make either consciously or sub-consciously. Develop the capacity to
be objective about yourself and become self-aware. The woman in the podcast
shared how she empowered herself by saying “Your life isn’t someone else’s
fault, your life is what you decide to make it, from this point”. The details
of her story I didn’t feel were necessary because the essence of what she was
saying is universal. We must be mindful in taking personal accountability for
our own lives and stop blaming. Your growth is in the lesson of the misfortune so don't give up your power to grow by blaming others. Whatever has happen.....happened, get up from it and move forward!
Be Courageous & Live Free.
