Accountability

In today’s scripture, the importance of repentance was the point that stuck out to me the most. It is important to be sorry for your sins or actions, but I think the most significant part of repentance is making amends and changing your actions. Although repentance typically refers to confessing to your sins and turning away from them in a religious context, I think it’s also critical to take accountability for your actions that might not necessarily be sins but are leading you astray from your goals or where you want to be. I often find myself choosing to ignore or put off addressing behaviors or habits I know are not helping me reach my goals or continue to improve, whether in school, running, or relationships in my own life.
 
Taking accountability is the first step in making a change. This year especially I have turned to God to help keep me motivated in all aspects of my life. Sometimes it is tempting to push off my work and hang out with friends because it’s senior year. However, I chose to sign up for difficult classes last year and need to stay on top of my school work to ensure my grades sent to colleges are still reflective of the previous three years of my life. I need to take accountability for the classes I chose to take and hold myself responsible.
 
This same concept applies to running. Even if I have had a horrible day at school and done poorly on my assessments that day, I must hold myself accountable and go for my run regardless. The start of track season is not going to be delayed because I had a bad day.
 
Ultimately, I think everyone should reflect on their habits and actions every once in a while. If some of your habits are leading you further away from reaching your goals, work with yourself and God to change them. Sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself does not appear like the most fun or exciting option at the time.  

~Kylie S. '23
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Founded in 1960, Berkeley is an independent, Episcopal, college-preparatory day school located in Tampa, FL, for boys and girls in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12. Approximately 1,400 students gather here from the greater Tampa Bay area to form ONE Berkeley.