Thoughts on Accountability

Acceptance and accountability go hand-in-hand.  If I accept you for who you are, then, when something goes wrong, the fault must be mine.  This is a scary position to be in!  We are accustomed to blaming others.  Laying blame feels easier and is definitely a form of self-protection.  But a world where everyone else is at fault translates to a world we have no control over.  I can’t control how you behave.  If I blame you for our problems, then I also attribute their resolution to a change in your behavior.  How frustrating it is when nothing changes!  If only you would fix the problem!!!

But wait…if I can step back and accept you for who you are, then I can examine my role in the problem.  (Note that I didn’t say “blame”.)  Through examination of my behavior, I can choose whether to change my behavior.  It may be that a slight modification in my response will improve the situation significantly!

Frustration is a red-flag, a signal that I feel out-of-control and an opportunity to examine my role in the situation.  By taking accountability for my behaviors and actions, I can make an impact.

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