Driving and Shopping Carts

Last night after dinner, Javier and I passed a booth with a sign reading "Stop the red light cameras! Sign Petition" So I asked Javier what he thought about the cameras.. his response amazed me :) (I am going to try to summarize in my own words what he said, but use first person so it makes more sense)

"I think that if our country was morally sound, there would be no need for traffic cameras or hidden radars, however since people seem to have thrown morals out the window, I think it is necessary. You shouldn't follow the rules only when someone is watching. I feel my most moral when I'm driving, I go the speed limit, I use my turn signals, I don't tailgate, in hopes that no one else will do that to me. I don't go 7 miles over the limit because a cop wont stop me so I can. You have to draw the line somewhere. I think it was when I started working in education that I started thinking this way. The line for success is set at 70% That is our line to work toward or we do not pass.. but now days, it seems that people are ok with a 68 - just because it is close. We have to draw the line somewhere. I can't control what others do, and I know I have not lived my life the most morally, however, driving I can say, I am moral. And it is like when we go to Kroger's, We never leave a cart in the lot. It may be raining, it may be hot, it may be freezing cold, but we always put the cart where it goes... morals... if everyone would take those little steps toward doing the right thing - not for a prize, not because someone is watching, but just because you are doing what is right -- our country would be good again"

I love that he feels that way -- It amazes me how he still surprises me after so long... I laughed because I have a few things that I am proud that I always do... nerd alert... I always say bless you when someone sneezes (do I think that I must so the devil doesn't come out of their nose? no, but it is polite, and it really makes me smile when someone else takes the time to say "bless you" when I sneeze) And I ALWAYS say excuse me when I burp -- now I know I like to burp and will upon request, but I always say excuse me... and I always notice when people don't... It isn't hard, it is just polite.

I read a blog today of a woman I don't know, but have become addicted to, and it went along these lines. Why don't we do things every day, just to make sure someone else might have a little better of a day? She said she leaves drinks for the trash men... and orders pizza for the cable guy... why don't we do that? Those people are working hard so we can live in our own little happy place.

I have spent much of the last month and a half on me. I have started working out again, eating right, living healthier, for me. I have been rewarded by reaching my goals regarding weight loss... Its time I reward others.. My goal (no numbers involved) is to make a stranger smile every day and tell one person I know, just how special they are and why. Lets see how it goes:)


Here's to cleaning and packing!