by Chelle Thompson
In a world that is shifting,
everything around us is being redefined. Through the
challenges in my life, I've learned that maintaining a loving
arena of Accountability creates a cornerstone for change. It's
also the gift that keeps on giving — for, when individuals
actually rise to the occasion and accept responsibility for
their actions, they then reflect a high level of consciousness
that is a beautiful gift in return.
Truth ... spoken with clarity
(not harsh, demeaning words or ego) is a gift we give to
ourselves as well. It frees the repressed emotional energy
that is generated when we sell ourselves out by remaining
silent. I see this approach as an expanded version of my
favorite Dale Carnegie human relations principle — "Giving
someone a fine example to live up to."
I recall one of the first
times I was brave enough to NOT EDIT my words, rather than
"make nice" and not rock the boat. Soon I learned
that not editing was the only way to be, and that by
"speaking from the heart" I could create a loving
atmosphere of opportunity.
Several years ago, while
director of Lightship of Santa Fe, a personal growth center, I
encountered four simultaneous situations for me to practice
this philosophy. In three of the cases, the people involved
readily altered their perspective, because they clearly saw
what had happened and owned the consequences of their actions.
The fourth was a remarkable
woman from another state who, at the last minute, canceled a
newsletter advertisement she had reserved because HER plans
had changed. When I explained that this wasn't appropriate
because I'd held the space for her and now there was no time
to replace it, she slipped into the very human survival mode
of justification, blame and denial. I remained clear with my
position and, when resolution didn't appear to be happening, I
simply said, "Okay, you don't have to keep the ad or
pay the money; you apparently don't fit well with our project,
so it's best for everyone."
About a week later I received
a three-page letter and a check from this responsible being
who had spent several days pondering the events to really
understand what had occurred. With a wonderful sense of her
own dignity, she acknowledged the ways she had affected others
and apologized for her behavior. Upon receiving this
"reciprocal gift," I immediately called and told her
that she truly DID fit the energy of Lightship and would be
welcome to advertise or present her workshops with us at any
time.
Seeing someone step beyond
their personality self to be in alignment with their
own Essence is one of life's greatest joys. Accountability is,
indeed, the purest form of compassion.
-Chelle Thompson
www.InspirationLine.com
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