This post was originally published on SuccessNet.org in December of 2006.
We’re having a house built just a mile and half from where we now live. And it will be ready for us to move into in just three weeks. We’re VERY excited about it.
I walk to the job site almost every day to check on the progress that’s being made. And each morning, I drive to pick up a dozen donuts to deliver to the guys working on the house.
It’s just a short distance and I’ve sometimes not buckled my seatbelt. But wearing my seatbelt is a commitment I made to myself some time ago and I was surprised at myself how I wasn’t totally honoring that commitment.
It all started about ten years ago when I was having a routine physical. My doctor was going through his checklist of questions about things that impacted my health—diet, exercise, smoking, etc.
One of the questions he asked was if I wore my seatbelt while riding in a car. My response was, “Yes, most of the time.” He looked me in the eye and asked if I would be willing to wear it ALL the time. “Sure, I suppose,” I said.
He went on to explain that because I didn’t smoke, didn’t abuse alcohol or take drugs and had no heart disease in my family, a traffic accident was my single biggest health risk. It really got my attention.
And right then and there I promised myself that I would use my seatbelt EVERY time I got into an automobile. And I’ve kept that promise.
And that’s why I was so surprised to find myself all these years later, cheating on my promise to myself and my family.
I was rationalizing it. It was only this time. It’s such a short distance. I’ll do it the REST of the time. This doesn’t really count.
And, of course, it does. Everything counts.
It’s dangerous, yes. It’s also a slippery slope to sliding out of commitments.
Once I realized what I was doing, I had to start buckling up again—and I’m glad.
But what if I hadn’t called myself on my broken promise?
My life is going better than it ever has. And a stupid accident could easily ruin that. My chances of surviving and even avoiding injury in an accident if I wear a seatbelt are considerably higher—and it only takes a couple of seconds.
What about you? Do you have commitments—to yourself or others—you’ve let slide? Take an honest look. Ask your spouse or close friends where you might be out of integrity.
When we kid ourselves, we lose—big time. It may seem like a little thing, but in my experience life is all about the so-called little things.
And for Pete’s sake, please wear your seat belt.
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