Schia Hart’s Truth Be Written: A Refl ective Accountability Journal

TRUTH BE WRITTEN

A Reflective Accountability Journal

By Schia Hart

There is a saying that I’ve heard at different points in my life: “Whenever you point a finger at someone, there are three fingers pointing at you.” It seems so easy to blame others for our failures and mistakes as a way to avoid accountability in ourselves. Indeed, we block our blessings and our growth by doing just that. That being said, I bring to you Schia Hart’s Truth Be Written: A Reflective Accountability Journal.

In Hart’s words, this interactive journal provides the reader with “a safe space to tell it like it is, and figure out what it should be.” Inspired by her daughter, this version of Hart’s journal is designed for teens and adults; she has also designed one for kids. It is a step-by-step process consisting of the following:

What happened? Who was involved? What did they do?

How do you feel?

Is there any validity in what they said or did?

In your opinion, what should have happened or what could they have done differently?

What role did you play in this situation? What could you have done differently?

Now what (what are you going to do)?

List three things you are grateful for today.

At the end of the reflection, there is a space for a person to doodle, draw, etc.

Introspection is not always an easy thing to do, but it is necessary for us to grow as people, to take accountability for our lives and actions instead of blaming and making excuses. Interspersed in the journal are quotes from famous individuals about accountability, responsibility, and ownership, which speak to everyone. Though they are all powerful and inspiring, these two quotes caught my attention right away:

“The worst thing you can do as a young person is to refuse to grow up. You refuse to grow up when you believe that someone else must take responsibility for your life and life circumstances.” (Saidi Mdala)

“Leaders inspire accountability through their ability to accept responsibility before they place blame.” (Courtney Lynch)

We are descended from kings and queens, and Hart’s journal is another tool to help us embrace and take ownership of those titles as leaders by example.

In addition to being an author, Hart is the CEO of Handlender, an organization that “strengthens various types of networks, collectives, and communities through initiating perpetual acts of burden-free giving and receiving.”

Truth Be Written is available through the Minnesota Black Authors Expo website (www.mnblackauthorsexpo.com) and Amazon.

Thank you, Schia, for your spirit and for giving us a book to help us grow and move forward in life!