Being Accountable

What a concept in the current environment in the world today! When it has become easier to make excuses, deny, avoid, abandon, or simply pretend that actions, words, and behaviors don't affect others negatively accountability and integrity go together as large pieces of what is missing from our society today.

Being accountable is taking ownership of what we do, or don't do, even just to ourselves. Choosing to make bad decisions over and over again without expecting any negative impact isn't realistic or being accountable. And expecting others to keep picking up the pieces of what we leave in our path isn't fair, often to a much broader circle than just those directly involved. Life is messy, especially when our choices aren't thought through. Every day we observe this all around us, locally and sadly on the national and international stages. Accountability means that sometimes there will be negative consequences, sometimes not depending on what we the item, action, or activity is that is involved. Sometimes that negative consequence is financial, incarceration, other punishment, or a failed relationship. Maybe being accountable repairs a strained relationship, makes a punishment lessened, or is just to yourself and opens your eyes to positive changes in behavior.

I was reminded by an email that I have had this blog almost 3 years now, and when I started there was a plan for once a month posts, then 2x a month, once a week, then multiple times a week. Obviously as this is the 14th post, the plan wasn't followed through. I had nobody but myself to be accountable to. So I am asking my readers to keep me accountable. I have plenty of incomplete musings to share with the world.