Pathwalking 14
Over the past several weeks I have explored many of the aspects that go into my Pathwalking concept. This week, let’s take a more in-depth look at a single, necessary aspect in successful pathwalking: Accountability.
More than once, in writing entries on topical rants in this blog, I have touched on this topic. It is my belief that the single greatest problem in the world today comes down to accountability. No one seems to care if they take responsibility for their actions, or just how important that really is.
Why is it important? Why does being accountable matter?
Because, to put it in simplest terms, in order to deal with, overcome, repair, or otherwise handle any single issue that comes up in this world, you have to take account of your own part in it. And not just errors and mistakes…this applies to every action, inaction, decision, indecision, movement or pause that you make.
Society is constantly looking for where to place the blame. We need to fault someone for grand issues like global warming, high gas prices, taxes; and more personal issues like emotional disorders, eating disorders, mental illness, relationship problems, and so on and so forth.
The thing is, the longer you cast the blame, the further from actually resolving your part in the situation you will get. Yes, arguably, it takes two to tango, and some things you can squarely place the blame onto another. HOWEVER, even so, if you carry a grudge, bear ill will, or otherwise continue to hold onto negativity from a situation, you go NOWHERE.
Pathwalking is about consciously looking for, seeking out, and choosing your way. It is the idea that rather than let life just happen, you will take direction, take control, and MAKE it happen.
BUT – to do this, you have to not only control thoughts and emotions…you have to look at how you see the world at large, and consider if you are accountable for all the things in your power to take responsibility for. Do you accept your own role in how things go down in your life – do you make yourself accountable – or do you seek to place blame instead?
If you do not take responsibility and be accountable for your emotions, your actions, your thoughts, but instead place the blame on other people, circumstances or events, you will never succeed. And this goes beyond the concept of pathwalking, I believe this is a general statement on life. If you are not accountable for anything, but only blame others, can you be successful in any endeavor?
But, you might argue, look at all those fat-cat tycoons who lie, cheat, and steal. Look at our political leaders, look at all those people who have success in their lives, but are never accountable for anything. How can you say it matters, when clearly our examples show us it does not?
Because, I will argue, they may have money, they may have power, they may have followers…but I doubt they have happiness. I doubt they are ever content.
And maybe, while publicly they are not accountable, privately, they know and acknowledge full well who and what they are. They have chosen their own path, empowered themselves – but would rather hoard their empowerment than share it with others.
Because, when you boil it all down to its core, pathwalking is all about empowering yourself. You make choices, you feel what you feel, you seek to walk a path of your own choosing. Some people cannot accept that life is meant to be abundant for everyone, and out of fear that we’ll run out of things, they don’t want to share, they don’t want to empower. Because they can only see enough for themselves, and not enough for everyone.
This is why I put this here every week. Yes, pathwalking is my own personal journey, but it is not meant to be for me alone. I want, no, I NEED to share this with you. I don’t care if you share my approach precisely, or if you agree with it or me…I care that you see and find your OWN empowerment, and happiness. I want to help you to see the world as I see it – full of abundance, infinite possibility, and hope.
From time to time I forget this. I find myself placing blame sometimes. I forget that I have to be accountable for MY reactions and MY feelings and MY thoughts. It is the purview of no-one other than me. And that is where the accountability comes in.
Do you take account for all that you are responsible for in who you are?
This is the fourteenth entry in my series. These weekly posts are specifically about walking along the path of life, and my desire to make a difference in this world along the way. Thank you for joining me.
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