He/She/They Did it

Pointing fingers is the easiest form of accountability.  Telling yourself it's never your fault is nice.  But doing what I've done, I usually like to say, is it really someone else's fault?  

I went to L.A. for a girl's vacation just to get away.  I was in a shitty relationship with our long list of problems, and it was nice to get away.  I remember fighting the night before and going to sleep sad and upset.  

3/4 AM, two guys come into our hotel room, my friend is screaming and I wake up.  I didn't have my glasses and I joined in, screaming my lungs out.  They finally left, obviously drunk, thinking they were in their room.  I called down to the front desk thinking they'd handle this "intrusion."  Really, the front desk guy made a mistake, and tried to hide it.  He did nothing. 

But actions effect someone other than you.

I was too scared and crippled from fear to leave the room so I waited until daylight hit.  7 AM, we went down tot he front and spoke to the manager and he said he would follow up.  Confirming the facts, he admitted the front desk's errors and comped us one night.  But I wasn't satisifed.  It was ridiculous to be victimized but also have to chase for accountability.  That wasn't okay.  

I posted this incident on Facebook and a friend sought out the corporate office and gave me their contact info.  

I left a distraught message and the president called me back directly to my surprise.  He was shocked to hear what I had to say and told me he'd get to the bottom to confirm everything.  It was all confirmed and he apologized, taking accountability.  I cried after this call.  I left this trip so shaken up, crying at any moment anyone surprised me or came too close.  It went on for weeks and I finally went to the doctors and he told me the trauma left me in fight or flight mode still.  So he gave me a few techniques to bring me back down to norm and even offerred therapy.

Accountability  

I bring accountability up today because I feel like our generation has changed.  Social media lets it so that you think you can do or say what you want without any repercussions.  Internet bullying is a thing, women pitting other women against each other is a thing, and people no longer think they're accountable.  If there are rules and regulations that are clearly stated, follow it or own up to it that you didn't.  If it isn't affecting someone else, then you're only hurting yourself in the process.  

Its depressing to see how people can approach others and say as they will, without any regards to basic humanity.  It goes back to the old saying, "If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all."  Why chime in if you are only going to put someone else down?  Just don't.  

Think about your future self, when you're older and how you want to be treated if you have no control physically.  Think about your relatives you place on a pedastal and how you would want them to be treated.  How about anyone you care about?

Accountablity means owning up to your mistakes, and apologizing, and knowing you can do better, and do better.  So do better.