This is one of the simplest yet most powerful statements I know. It is true in every aspect of my life that I care to test it against. As a parent, if I lose accountability of my teens when they are out then I lose control of their environment. As a leader of a group, if I lose accountability of the members' actions, then I lose control of the direction in which the group moves forward. As a taxpayer, if I lose accountability of the money that the various governments collect from me, then I lose control over how that money is spent.

My plea to our teens this week: Take accountability for your actions and stay in control of your lives.

The easiest example I can think of is education. There is some discussion lately about standardized testing and how this type of testing is or should be considered some kind of indictment on the education system. This may be the intent of such testing, but if YOU allow the education system to take accountability for what you learn, then YOU are giving the education system control of what you learn. Do not let an education system that is designed to "educate" as many of you as possible within the given constraints of time and budget control what you learn and how well you learn it. Get out there and research, experiment, and learn on your own. If math is hard for you, find someone who understands it and get them to help you. If math is too easy for you, then find an outlet for more challenging material. In either case, do not let your education system become the excuse for your lack of success. It is too easy to sit back and say "The education system failed" or "my teacher sucks", placing blame (accountability) on someone else. By saying this you are also saying "I cannot control the outcome of my learning, only the education system can do that."

This is not to say that some things should not be changed. Obviously if an education system cannot meet the needs of the community it serves then it should be changed. But as a teenager, you are not usually in a position to affect that change and you cannot afford to let it be an excuse.

Your education is just one example of accountability and control in your life. As you get older you will struggle with, or appreciate, this concept more and more because you will be allowed to choose more of what to control. You will get to choose which things to stay in control of and which things to let go. Be sure to make your choices wisely and try your best to understand the second and third order of affects. What you choose to lose accountability of, and therefore control of, will be a personal decision based on your values, cultures, and goals. (Risk vs. Reward) I mean I lose accountability of my trash once it is collected, but I do not feel a desire to remain in control of my trash once it is collected. Others may feel that control of their trash is important and therefore may elect to maintain accountability of it by taking it to the dump themselves.

Some things require several persons or entities to have accountability and therefore control. Elections are a great example of this. Each individual is in control of their own vote and therefore is accountable for their one vote. However, the election is decided by the majority and therefore the majority is accountable. You are not accountable for the majority unless you control the majority. We all have to live with the majority vote. In instances like this hold the majority accountable for their actions, their vote, but do not hold the majority accountable for youractions as a result of their vote unless you want the majority to control your life.

Always remember to ask yourself who you want in control of any given aspect of your life before you ask who is to blame. Doing this will lead to a life you control.