Its a regular Monday and I’m scrolling on Instagram when a cheeky post catches my eye.
the job description said “good work-life balance” but my manager is texting me at 9 pm on a Saturday!!
Now I chuckle because it’s relatable, and realistically, corporations and other systems NEED to be held accountable. We depend on these systems for our lives to run smoothly. If Patty Joe in accounting doesn’t run payroll this Friday, it’s not just a simple gaff; bills, trips, and mortgages are all hanging in the balance. The impact on each individual in that company can be colossal. We hold systems accountable because the safety and effectiveness of our world depend on them.As I reflected more on this, however, one thing struck me: systems don’t run without people, people like me! So when I am calling for accountability of systems, it is easy to shake my fist at the faceless intersection of process, technology, and place, however, the foundation on which all of that rests is people. What decisions are we making in our tiny cells that have far-reaching effects on our communities? Now this is not a question I can answer for anyone but myself. Accountability starts with me and those who I find myself in close community with.
Whether it’s doing the dishes when I said I would, calling a friend back, or getting out of bed the first time my alarm goes off, there are numerous opportunities daily where I make decision that impact the safety and effectiveness of my community. My decision to hit snooze may seemingly only impact me, but when I consider what it might cost in my preparedness for the day, other people having to hear 4 alarms, and the likelihood that I will rush through my morning routine, it seems a lot more impactful.
As a young girl, I genuinely thought that being a grown up meant that I wouldn’t have to be answerable to anyone but as I have gotten older, I have found the opposite to be true. Based on my faith, I am accountable to God first which adds a layer of responsibility to how I operate. Secondly, I am accountable to my present and future self. So regardless of my feelings, I owe it to myself to act in my best interests. Thirdly, I am accountable to my friends and family and feel a sense of responsibility to care for them. Finally, I am accountable to the social systems I operate within, which looks like paying my bills, educating myself on the experiences of others, and positively contributing to the lives of others.
Now while I know what I ought to do, I don’t always live like I ought to. Far too often, I choose present comfort over investing in my future self. I don’t check-in with my loved ones as often as I should. Every time I make one of these decisions, there’s a cost associated with it. It may cost me time that could have been otherwise allocated, trust that others have in me or that I have in myself, or money spent trying to right a wrong.
Accountability isn’t saying that I will always make the right choices, but it does mean that I can come back to my community when I don’t, own the cost of missing the mark, and take the necessary steps to do better next time.