I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION - TO BE ACCOUNTABLE

Welcome to Day 17 of the I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION series on self-love.

Today, I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO BE ACCOUNTABLE.

Or, as I like to put it, own my shit.

There's a reason that we like to find someone else to blame - because there's only one other choice.

As humans, we instinctively want to protect ourselves, so we look for ways to deflect blame in most situations. But what happens when we make a conscious decision to make ourselves accountable? Answer: We regain our power.

Now, I'm not talking about taking the heat for things that you truly had no part in. I'm talking about engaging in honest self-reflection in order to gain perspective on the role we play in any story in which we perform a key role.

Example: Your child gets into a fight at school.

Instinct: It's the other kid's fault. Where was the teacher? The school needs to do better. The other child's parents are doing a bad job.

Accountability: Why did my child react in that way? Has my child experienced something within our family that may have led to his participation in this incident? What can I do to help my child do better and feel safer? How can we improve communication in our home?

Accountability is empowerment because it puts problem solving in our own hands! If someone else is always to blame that means that solutions are always in the hands of others, too. It means that no resolution can be had without other people changing who they are and how they behave. If our joy is always dependent on the behaviour of others, we are doomed to be without joy. Owning your shit means owning your joy. Take responsibility and you take back your power.

Take a deep breath in. Repeat today's mantra: I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. I GIVE MYSELF PERMISSION TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. I know that owning my role means owning my power. I know that being accountable does not mean being wrong, it simply means that I recognize that I can do better. I meet each situation with an open heart and an open mind. I meet each situation with love and kindness - for myself and others. Breathe out.

Today, I invite you to self-reflect. Be brave enough to own what you see. Love what you see. When we know better we do better - and that is freaking beautiful.

You are beautiful.

With love.

Namaste