Accountability is a Rare Ability

Over the past few years, I've learned that holding myself accountable is a rare form of continuing education. Because, no matter how far I've come, I can remain positive and realize change, but if I don't constantly survey my actions, thoughts, and behaviors, I am no further than I was a year ago.

I've done some crazy things throughout my life and depending on how anyone looks at it, none crazier than abandoning a web design career for an unpaid year of cosmetology school. My career seemed like it was going nowhere and every other part of my life was going in a positive direction, so I didn't want any part of me to fall behind. So, hey..why not quit my job and go to hair school? Yes!

I never really thought I could do it, but I wanted a dramatic change anyway. Shortly after I started school, my fiance and I broke up and moved out. Luckily, financially that event didn't effect me, but it was still a set back. I never let that affect my schooling, though. I went and pushed myself every day, challenged myself beyond what I thought I never could achieve, and I achieved a lot.

My growth emotionally and personally was phenomenal, and I still see it. I lost weight and gained confidence in myself. I dug deeper into my own image and expressed myself as honest as I could. I became more outgoing. I made friends with every imaginable type of person that you could..well..IMAGINE. I embraced a forward-focus culture that has changed a depressed single mother to an incredibly positive individual that never looked this hard in a mirror.

And, if I didn't stop to think about it today, the progress would have stopped there.

I graduated and took my state board licensing test. I am now back in school getting my 1,000 hours for my masters instructors license. And, it's the most challenging but rewarding environment I've ever been in. However, what makes it even more challenging is feeling like I've progressed back to that old person. The girl who never challenged herself or stepped outside of her big comfy chair. But, I took a good long look today and saw it this way - if you're always looking at others before you act, you never get a good look at yourself.

And, what I mean is..right now, tomorrow, and the next day, be yourself without consequence.