Account

If you hold me to account that means you will check to verify that I did what I said I would. Sort of like you hold me to a count, where you count the result I promised. I am accountable for what I promised to do. An account is a place where whatever I am counting is kept and a tally is visible so I can keep track of how much I’ve got in there. Like a bank account. Accounts receivable are what I am to receive.

Accounts payable are what I owe, what I am to pay. Sometimes a person can expect to receive something from me and I don’t even know that I have an account payable with them. I knew one lady who would want a thank card if she sent a birthday card. Who knew? A statement of accounts would show all the receivables and payables. Different items could be accounted in separate accounts

I can generate an account deficit with my money by taking a loan. I can do so with our relationship by saying or doing something that tears us apart, makes you angry. Both kinds of deficit can be generated from less than a conscious state. I can use my credit card a little to loosely and bingo, deficit in my money account. I can miss some cue or say something careless and boom, relationship account is negative

Being accountable for myself means that I do my best to only promise what I will deliver on. And when, for some reason, I don’t quite do it, I then take steps to set the account right again. This kind of account is the one we share, it is between you and me. An unfortunate use of the word as it makes us both responsible and maybe I don’t want to be responsible for so much as you do. Oh oh

To take account is to take stock, to assess where an account stands at that moment. Like I go to the storage room and count the bags of potatoes, and more, I might also count how many potatoes are in each bag. Stern stuff. With relationships, because we are dealing with humans who interpret in their own ways, to account for, to take stock of, the relationship is best done with a generous, accepting heart

Contact jseiler@yournaturaledge.com