There is beauty in intentionality.
When we choose to be intentional and mindful in how we represent ourselves, we show up in ways that serve our highest selves, and others.
Focusing on being intentional is how we hold ourselves accountable to a higher standard.
A standard of excellence.
Also, carelessness has consequences.
While many are comfortable remaining ignorant to the impact of their actions, I hope that some will take note.
How we choose to engage and participate in the environments that we are in, and the people we choose to associate with, is an indication of who we are as individuals.
Regardless of how much we are paraphrasing, parroting, and mirroring the behaviours of those we seek validation from.
To whatever extent our desires were to feel included, or to get along.
However innocent our intentions might be, or not, life holds each one of us accountable to our actions.
And in those moments of clarity, we realize that it is our character that has been revealed. By the decisions we took, and the conversations we had... the sidebar chats we thought would go unnoticed. In time we learn that integrity was never just a philosophy, not an abstract notion of morality that was too vague to make concrete. We will recognize that it is our own integrity that is measured and evaluated, weighed and then calculated, when the truth demands a seat.
For most, accountability is the mirror that shows the gap between who we are and we thought ourselves to be.
So we can take it as an opportunity.
An opportunity to reflect.
Reflect on the role we played, and the path that paved, if ever it was the case that from the words we chose to speak, there was a casualty.
In a world where perception is king, recognize that perception outweighs intention.
So let's remember that we each carry an impact.
That what we choose to do, and what we choose to say, has a way of finding its way back to us one day.
I hope those days are celebratory.
That you feel a moment's sense of peace - that your self-representation did not cause you, or others, undue harm.
While we cannot go back in time, we can choose to do better, to learn, and to grow.
Understanding that we each bear the weight of our actions and inactions. Having the power of choice, is also recognizing that how we choose to be, and what we choose to do, is also a deeply sacred responsibility.
Jim Rohn made mention that the impact of an action that causes destruction is impartial to the source being a friend or a foe.
That it is the impact that blurs the very little distinction between carelessness and malicious intention.
May our actions never prove him right.
Let's hold ourselves accountable to our actions and intentions -- and from there hope to create more harmony.
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