Pay Attention!

Accidents happen.

Unfortunately they happen more often to some people than others.

People often attribute them to bad luck, or Fate, as if there is a mysterious something or other lying in wait for them that is not there for other, more lucky, people.

The monster comes from within! If there is a creature lurking nearby, it is the carelessness, or haste of the "unlucky" accident prone person. Most accidents can be prevented by proper planning and careful attention to what is going on.

We all need to know what our particular shortcomings are and plan around that. I know that I injure my feet and ankles very easily, so I try to walk consciously, always wear my orthotics and pay attention to where I am standing. You won't find me balancing on bathtubs or chairs. When I climb I use a step stool with a high handle for holding on to.

When my children were small I knew which ones to never take my eyes off of. I knew I had a responsibility to protect them until they were old enough to think on their own. Teaching my children to drive meant showing them that driving is more than pushing down on the pedals. You need to be driving ahead with your eyes and looking behind in the mirror. Defensive driving saves a lot of headaches.

For me it is worth the little bit of extra thought to avoid a lot of pain and suffering.