Accountability

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accountabilityToday I learned about a 56 year old man who was killed riding his motorcycle.  He was killed by a 22 year old boy who tried to make a left turn.  Unfortunately, that left turn was made right into this motorcyclist as he was just driving along.

This wasn’t just a horrible accident, but this young boy had a prior history of driving impaired.  He should never have been behind the wheel yesterday, and has a previous E Felony conviction for DWI.

When he hit this motorcyclist, it was reported that he tried to flee the scene.  Once again he was found to be driving under the influence and has blood tests pending to determine what he had taken prior to getting behind the wheel.  In an aside, I have 3 children ranging in age from 24, 21 and 20, it breaks my heart to know that, at such a young age, he loses too.

I have been thinking about this all day today since I learned of the tragedy. I ride a motorcycle, too, but there is more to this situation.  It didn’t have to be a motorcyclist, but it could have been a mom taking her baby for a walk, or a boy with his dog, or a kid riding a bike or on a skate board.

So, here’s my usual disclaimer — I don’t intend to be preachy as I write the rest of my “weekly reflection”, but just kind of am working this situation through my mind.

We can blame a ton of things for our own personal lack of accountability.  This lack of accountability can be applied to every aspect of our lives.  It can be applied whether we cheat on a loved one, or cheat on a project we are assigned, or cheat on a situation at work, or if we somehow take advantage of someone, or if we don’t do as we promised.  In many situations, a lack of accountability for one’s actions, and the decision we make, can tragically and irreversibly impact the life and lives of others.

Unfortunately, I believe that we have become desensitized to the results of no accountability.  In the case of driving while impaired, or while under the influence, this happens again and again.  No matter how much education is provided.  No matter the efforts and advocacy by MADD and SADD.

The holiday season is upon us.  This gentleman’s family will be affected every Thanksgiving, remembering this tragic day of loss.  At 56 years old (I’m turning 50 next week), I am sure that he had so much more to do in his life.

In a situation where we may be driving, we all have an opportunity to embrace accountability, to designate a driver, and / or to make arrangements to stay overnight at a location or arrange for transportation home via a taxi.  WE each have the responsibility and accountability to not get behind that wheel when we are not capable to drive and risk hurting others.

In every situation, we all have the responsibility to be accountable for our actions, to not blame someone else for our actions.  This pertains to our health, our family, our place of business, and even our happiness.

If we each embraced personal responsibility, things would move along so much more smoothly.  Just think what would happen if we really considered our actions before we acted.

After all, it is time to enjoy life.  It is Time to Play.

Love,

Doreen

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Doreen Guma, MA, FACHE, CPC, CLC is a board certified healthcare executive, a certified professional life coach, the founder of the Time to Play Foundation, a 501c3 not for profit corporation inspiring everyone to enjoy life and author of If I Knew Then What I Know Now, Our Quest for Quality of Life.  The concept behind time to Play and the Time to Play Foundation was absolutely created out of LOVE. Please see www.timetoplay.com for more information.

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