How many times a month do you think you ask yourself, “What was I thinking?” about some of the things you do?  I figure it’s at least once a week for me.  That’s roughly 50 times a year I do or say something regrettable.  I know it seems like a lot, but when you consider all the small subtle things, I’ll bet I’m not that different from most of you.
For example, I was jumping on my mini trampoline the other day (trying to get fit and healthy in the New Year).  I flipped on the TV and realized that I always watch the Food Network while I’m working out.  It’s no wonder I want to eat everything in sight when I’m done.   Talk about self-defeating.  What was I thinking?
Last month, which was so busy with the holidays, I didn’t have any extra days off work.  I was so pressed for time that I should have bought cookies and candies already made.  As I stayed up late a few nights waiting for the oven timer to go off, I found myself again asking that question.
I’ve also asked the question of myself after I’ve tried a new hairstyle, didn’t follow the recipe, said “yes” to a request when I was already over-committed -- just to name a few.  Does any of that strike a chord with you?  Maybe you have lain awake at night feeling miserable after eating something spicy and asked yourself the question.  Or maybe you’ve asked it after deciding you could go another day or two without putting gas in your vehicle or charging your cell phone.
The bottom line is that we all do things once in a while that are less than prudent.  There are some lessons that we just can’t seem to learn, no matter how long we live.   It’s just human nature to an extent, I suppose. 
What would it take to get us to think a little longer before we do some things, and then trust our own better judgment?  I don’t have an answer for that.  I’ve thought about putting reminders on post-it notes and sticking them on places like the television and the fridge.  But it would just clutter up my house, and I’d probably get so used to seeing them that I would start to ignore them anyway. 
Although I’ve never been one to advocate giving in to things, I do advocate giving ourselves permission to be human.  That means taking a free pass to Dunceville once in a while and laughing at our foibles, instead of kicking ourselves over them.
Sometime before this week is over, I will probably ask myself that familiar question.  Maybe you will too.  I don’t know what your reaction will be.  But I’m going to have a good chuckle at my own expense and say, “It’s okay, kid.  You blew it again, but tomorrow’s another day.”   Something tells me I’m in for a lot of laughs.
Thanks for giving me a moment of your time.